Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox heads out to the field before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park May 31, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

BOSTON (CBS) Dustin Pedroia is back in the Red Sox lineup Tuesday night.

Pedroia will bat second and play second as Boston opens a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway.

Pedroia returns after missing the last six games after leaving Bostons May 28 win over the Tigers. He was diagnosed with aslight tear in the adductor muscle in his right thumb, an injury heinitiallysuffered on May 2, but has avoided a trip to the disabled list.

Im real excited, Pedroia told WBZ NewsRadio 1030s Jonny Miller Tuesday afternoon.Obviously its still healing, but if we protect it the right way Im able to play while it heals up all the way.

Stats: Red Sox Injuries

Pedroia resumed taking batting practice on Saturday and Sunday in Toronto, with the help of a specially designed brace, and did not report any problems on Bostons off-day on Monday.Pedroia also switched the kind of bat he uses, opting not to use maple to lessen the impact on his hands.

Combine that with the brace, and some may be a little concerned there would be a getting-used-to period for Pedroia. But the former MVP isnt too worried, and may have even found a new part to his routine.

Hopefully this pad helps me out and who knows, I might wear it forever, he said.

The Red Sox went 4-2 in Pedroias absence, and have won six of their last nine games. Never one to want to miss time, Pedroia is extremely anxious to get back to helping out his team add more wins in the standings.

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Pedroia Returns For Red Sox Against Orioles