PAWTUCKET -- Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson received a phone call from Boston late Friday night. The Red Sox brass' requested that shortstop-second baseman Dustin Pedroia get some work at the hot corner.

Obviously, the Pawtucket skipper obliged, and the 22-year-old infield prospect started at third base last night. Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell is sidelined because of a sore foot, so Boston wants Pedroia to get some experience at third.

"He's proved he can play second and short," said Red Sox vice president of player personnel Ben Cherington. Playing third "is more or less a security blanket just in case something happened, and it gives him another feather in his cap. We believe he's going to be an everyday player in the big leagues at one position, so by him playing third base is not a matter of trying to turn him into a utility player."

Pedroia, who has played 28 games at second base and 69 at shortstop this season, took ground balls at third prior to last night's game and appeared to be making a smooth transition. When asked how he felt on the corner, he said he felt comfortable.

"I've played that side of the infield my whole life," he said. "It's just another 10 feet."

The last time he played third was during his freshman year at Arizona State, in 2002, when he played 10 games. It probably was tougher then because collegiate players use aluminum bats.

"At this point, if I do get called up I'll do anything I can to help (Boston) win," Pedroia said. "You look at the Yankees, and they've had guys step up [due to injuries] and help the team win, so if I can do anything like that to help the Red Sox win, that's my main focus."

He's been through this process before, and last season thought he was getting the call to the majors when former Red Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn was designated for assignment. A call-up for Pedroia didn't happen, and he admitted he couldn't sleep just thinking about the possibility, so this time he is remaining on an even keel.

One-time Red Sox middle-infield prospect Freddy Sanchez, who now is with Pittsburgh, was called up from Pawtucket to play third in June of 2003, and he recorded 10 assists -- one shy of a major-league record for third basemen.

"Probably nothing will happen," said Pedroia. "But if it does, I'm ready. I'm real close."

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340