SEATTLE (AP) — The battered Boston Red Sox are slowly making their way back.

Dustin Pedroia is hitting indoors and taking grounders outside, the next steps to the second baseman returning from a broken left foot.

The 2008 AL MVP, who has been out since June 26, played catch on the field without his walking boot hours before Boston welcomed recuperated right-hander Josh Beckett back to its rotation on Friday night against Seattle.

Manager Terry Francona said the Red Sox hope to have Pedroia looked at by a doctor in Southern California early next week during a series at the Los Angeles Angels.

Boston’s doctors want to examine Pedroia when the team returns home on Thursday before deciding whether to accelerate his recovery plan.

“They keep saying he’s unique. Maybe he is,” Francona said of Pedroia’s healing powers.

Pedroia is hitting .292 in 73 games.

The Red Sox entered Friday 10-11 without their No. 2 hitter and two-time All-Star, and seven games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

Bill Hall, who has been filling in at second base, made a crucial error in the ninth inning Thursday night trying to rush his throw to first base on what could have been a game-ending double play. Seattle’s two tying runs scored on the play, completing a five-run rally that sent the game into extra innings. Boston ultimately won in 13 innings.

Francona praised the veteran Hall, who also homered Thursday, for doing “a pretty good job” in Pedroia’s absence. But the manager added, “You can’t replace Pedroia. That’s just not how it works.”

Catcher Victor Martinez, who has been on the disabled list since June 28 with a fractured left thumb, is scheduled to catch Saturday’s bullpen session of Clay Buccholz — who himself returned from the disabled list this week following a strained hamstring.

Martinez has already caught knuckleballer Tim Wakefield with the injured thumb, which is broken at the tip. If he’s able to handle Buccholz’s increased velocity with the padded glove the team has rigged for him, Martinez could return soon.

Jacoby Ellsbury, the speedy leadoff man who has played in only nine games because of broken ribs, was forced to hit inside because of rain in Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday while working out with Boston’s rookie league team there. He may start a minor-league rehabilitation assignment next week.

And third baseman Mike Lowell joined Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday on his way back from a strained right hip that’s had him out since June 23. He is playing a four-game series at Columbus this weekend.

Francona said Lowell is scheduled to stay with Pawtucket through another four-game set next week at Toledo. The Red Sox hope Lowell can play in six of the eight games at Triple-A before he

might return.

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