Dustin Pedroia took batting practice while wearing a specially designed brace before Saturday's game against the Blue Jays. It was the first time he's swung a bat since tearing a muscle in his right thumb five days ago. Pedroia took about 25 swings over four sessions. "(Pedroia) is feeling a little better. It's just to make sure that his body is in tune," manager Bobby Valentine said. "We don't think he's going to be swinging really hard. Plus, we'll see how the brace fits."