Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours, and sometimes acid falls out of the sky and everything living becomes dead.

That's the Boston Red Sox lineup this season. The latest blow: Dustin Pedroia's going to miss some time with a thumb injury. How much, though? Nobody seems to know.

Initially, it didn't look so bad. Pedroia reportedly jammed his right thumb while making a diving play in the fifth inning of Monday's game against the Tigers. Afterward, optimism abounded, with Pedroia expected to miss perhaps a game or two. Which might be exactly what happens ...

Pedroia torn abductor muscle in thumb. Hopes to play through with splint and avoid DL. Team is still discussing DL.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) May 30, 2012

So it's too early to add Pedroia to the list that already includes Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, and every Red Sox player who's ever played, or thought about playing, right field. However long Pedroia's out, Nick Punto figures to see most of the action at second base, since Mike Aviles has locked down shortstop for himself.