Projo Sox Blog

By STEVEN KRASNER
and JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writers

BOSTON -- Mike Lowell, who had to leave Friday night's game in the 10th inning because he aggravated a right hip flexor injury, is in the starting lineup tonight, batting fourth and playing third base.

Don't take that to mean, however, that he isn't still hurting.

"I don't know about the recovery time. He's feeling it. He's been feeling it for a long time. He's a tough kid," said manager Terry Francona a few minutes ago when he met with the media.

Both Francona and Lowell said that the injury affects his speed, but they also agreed that it isn't as if speed is part of Lowell's game. He's one of baseball's slowest runners.

Nevertheless, Lowell told Francona he could play, and with the Red Sox facing left-handers tonight and tomorrow, Francona is happy to have Lowell's right-handed bat in the number four hole in the order.

Lowell has been mired in a slump since the All-Star break, batting a mere .182 (10 for 55) with one double, zero homers and only six RBI. He hasn't hit a home run since connecting in New York on July 4 and has only three since clouting a grand slam on June 12.

"I told them I'm willing to play," said Lowell. "I think I might get some kind of injection in the next couple of days. . . When I slow down is when I feel it grab, not so much when I'm running. I'm not that fast to start, and now I feel really slow."

Lowell can't pinpoint exactly when he first injured it. He said he just felt it one day about five weeks ago. Since then he's tried heat, cold, stretching, ultra sound, massage and he even had a cortisone shot prior to the All-Star break.

"We've exhausted everything," he said. "It's been a nagging thing that hasn't gone away. I was just kind of hoping it would go away, but it hasn't."

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 Tags  hip flexor mike lowell red sox

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