Dustin Pedroia tore a thumb muscle diving into first base on Opening Day and has played the season despite the injury.

Pedroia was reportedly examined the day after the April 1 game in New York, and it was discovered he had a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

Doctors told him he could play through the injury and not risk long-term damage to the thumb.

"It's clear that when he dove into first base Opening Day in New York, every exam that needed to be done to make it a correct diagnosis was done. It came back as it is," manager John Farrell WEEI. "I think everybody that was involved, Dustin being the most important one in that, felt like there was no further damage could be done, the decision for him to continue on.

"And much like any other guy that's dealing with not being 100 percent or banged up in certain ways, guys go about their work to manage the situation they find themselves in physically to be ready to play every night and Dustin is no different. He's having a heck of a year."

In 53 games this season, the 29-year-old Pedroia is hitting .332 with 3 homers, 28 RBIs and an .866 OPS.