1:10 AM Sat, Sep 27, 2008 | Permalink
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BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Mike Lowell, who returned to the lineup Friday night after an eight-game absence, left after just one at-bat as the Red Sox DH, suffering a setback with his ailing right hip.
When Lowell held up on a swing in his one and only at-bat, he felt a sharp pain and needed to walk around the batter's box to continue the at-bat. He eventually flied to left. When his spot came up again in the third, Chris Carter pinch-hit and took over the DH role.
"To say I was disappointed is a major understatement," said a downcast Lowell after the Red Sox 19-8 thrashing by the New York Yankees. "It doesn't hurt me to swing. But when I make my mind up to swing and then take a pitch, that's the problem. As I start to rotate my hips, it just catches. There's a sharp pain. I can tolerate the pain, but it's what happens right after. It swells up and it very sore."
After coming out of the game, Lowell consulted with a hip specialist who told him the problem "totally makes sense. I don't really know what the solution is. He says he thinks we can continue to try medication. He's not giving up, so I'm not giving up."
But when asked if he thought he might be left off the Division Series roster, Lowell admitted his status is in doubt.
"I don't want to be a liability for the team," Lowell said. "By no means do I think I'm owed a roster spot. In a short series, with some days off, maybe I could pinch-hit. I'm not ruling out anything yet. But obviously, I'm disappointed."
"That was certainly discouraging for us tonight," said Terry Francona. "He's certainly not ready to pull the plug or quit trying to play . . . Because of how tough he is and what he means to us and (Lowell) still wanting to play, you don't want to pull the plug on it either. We'll monitor as we go and do the best we can.''
Francona said the Sox had planned to start Lowell at third Sunday in the season finale, but that plan has been scrapped.
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This Question is for Sean McAdam,
Love your Columns, what do you think about the following....
Do you think the Red Sox have any interest in possiblly Ben Sheets or Oliver Perez they are both good Pitchers and would make a great # 4 or #5 pither in our Rotation and seem to add a lot more Value to the dollar than Throw huge Money at CC Sabathia, or taking a chance on AJ Burnett with his Injury history. And you have to worry about a guy CC being so heavy that he may not last the duration of a 6 - 8 year contract that he wants.
It doesn't sound Perez or Sheets are in most teams discussions like Lowe, Burnett and CC. So maybe we can pickup a Quality proven and reliable pitcher for half what you would have to pay CC/Burnett or even Derek Lowe?
Also is there any way that Texas may consider trading Taylor Teagarden or is he just not available.. I usually am against trading your best prospects and seeing someone like Hanley Ramirez being one of the Best Shortstops in Baseball and tearing the cover off the Ball but...
Finding a Catcher of his stature seems so Rare that It would be worth it... There's just no Catcers in MLB that produce and having someone like him in that postion and locking up young guy that could fill that position for you for the next 6 + year would be HUGE. I know they alrady delt away one of ther Catchers and heard they are looking to deal another and pick up some prospects but is HE OFF THE LIST...?
Also do think the SOX are REALLY COMMITTED to
getting Texierra? Someone will have to go, and I don't think with Lowell's age, Salary and Injury you will get anything for him, and if you do you will end up paying the Bulk of his Salary..
Then Youk has to move to 3rd which was his natural 3rd baseman originally and good defensively but NOT A GOLD GLOVE like he is at 1st. Not the Texierra isn't a GOLD GLOVE 1st Baseman but I do think LOWELL is a better 3rd baseman than YOUK. Also Texierra is gonna want an 8 year Contract so what happens to Lars Anderson who I hear so much about and sounds like he is a year or less away and 2 years from being a
BIG MLB BAT..
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Eric Dolan
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