"Tempering the Red Sox' enthusiasm from their sixth consecutive win over the Yankees last night, second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston today to have his balky right knee examined by club Dr. Tom Gill.

For now, the Sox are optimistic Pedroia won't require surgery.

Pedroia's knee has been bothering him since the middle of last month, a team source confirmed last night. He has struggled at the plate, batting only .247 with a .338 on-base percentage.

According to one report, Pedroia suggested he may undergo an arthroscopic procedure to determine the severity of the injury and could be sidelined for a month. But two team sources said there aren't any plans for such a procedure.

"Pedey is overly dramatic," one source said. "At this point, I honestly just think we're being cautious."

If Pedroia does miss time, the Red Sox at least got good news on infielder Jed Lowrie. An MRI exam yesterday revealed no structural damage to Lowrie's aching left shoulder, which has bothered him since he ran into left fielder Carl Crawford while pursuing a pop fly May 29 in Detroit."