Time Off Did Not Help Lowell's Hip

According to WEEI's Rob Bradford:

Mike Lowell said [after last night's game] that his surgically-repaired right hip felt no better after getting four of the previous five days off and a decision regarding the approach would be made on the way to the team's next series in Atlanta. One option that Lowell has been weighing are shots to help lubricate the hip, along with additional time off. Lowell originally felt tightness in his hip last Thursday after having few problems while playing in all but two of the Sox' games up until that point.

Terry Francona:

I think it was my mistake that I went [that long before giving him some time off] because he doesn't complain. I probably need to be more aware of making him take a day, even when it aggravates him, so he won't drag that hip the second part of the year.

After hitting .308/.332/.525 in April/May, Lowell has slumped dramatically in June: .209/.289/.313. (His BABIP has also dropped more than 100 points to .200 in June, so there may be some bad luck at play.) Lowell is 3-for-26 (.115) in his last seven games.

When Nick Green replaced Lowell in the eighth inning last night, Julio Lugo took over at shortstop -- his first time in the field since June 14. Lugo committed an error on the first pitch/batted ball of the inning. Since June 6, when his playing time dropped to nearly nothing, Lugo is 7-for-10, with a .900 slugging percentage.

Lowell could be headed for a DL stint when Jed Lowrie returns. Playing for Pawtucket, Lowrie was hit by a pitch on the left knee on Tuesday. He has not played since then, though he may work out today.