BOSTON -- Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was a last-minute scratch from the lineup Monday night, and Red Sox manager Terry Francona isn't sure whether he'll be able to play on Tuesday.

"I wouldn't even come close to asking him," said Francona. "The only thing I'll ask him is, 'How's Kelli?'"

Pedroia's wife, Kelli, is pregnant with the couple's first child and she's due in late August, but she was taken to the hospital Monday evening. After she was checked, Pedroia returned to the ballpark only to be told by Francona to stay with his wife.

"He didn't need to be at the ballpark today," said Francona. "He needed to be with her. Knowing Pedey, he wanted to stay, he was fighting to stay, but we talked to him and he needed to be with her."

Immediately after the Sox' 6-0 loss to the A's, Francona was on his way to the hospital to be with the Pedroias.

jmcdonal@projo.com