Mike Lowell - Fantasy News & Updates
Mike Lowell - Fantasy News & Updates
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Lowell spent much of last offseason in limbo as the Red Sox made a strong push to acquire Mark Teixeira. If they had been successful, Kevin Youkilis would have moved across the diamond to third base, likely forcing a trade of Lowell during Spring Training. The dominoes could fall that way this offseason, with the 35-year-old Lowell entering the final year of his contract. "I figure I am no stranger to trade rumors and I understand the team's desire to always look to upgrade," Lowell said in an e-mail to the Boston Herald. "This situation is much different than last year because I was hoping to avoid a very awkward situation of rehabbing in order to get traded if the Teixiera signing would have occurred."
It was a painful campaign for Lowell -- literally. He dealt with recurring discomfort in his hip as a result of offseason surgery, an ongoing ailment that prevented him from being the fixture at third base he would have liked to have been. Even at 35, though, he showed he can still rake when in the lineup, which is why he’ll continue to merit a bench spot on squads in all formats in 2010.
The injury's extent is unknown, but it's just the latest in a laundry list of health concerns for the third baseman. His season still must be considered a success, though, as he's hit .290 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs. Those are excellent numbers for a 35-year-old who was returning after offseason hip surgery.
The shot was for maintenance purposes, so owners shouldn't worry about it being used to compensate for some kind of setback. "He'll take [batting practice] outside [Wednesday] and play Thursday," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I think he feels pretty good. He's in there lifting right now." When Lowell has been healthy, he's had success, batting .290 with 17 homers and 75 RBIs in 117 games.
With the postseason all but in hand, Lowell wanted to get the treatment now to make sure he is as healthy as can be for the postseason, which is likely to start for the Red Sox in Anaheim on Oct. 8. Lowell likely won't play in this three-game series against the Blue Jays. In late June, Lowell had a shot of Synvisc, which is a lubricant that coats the joint. This was the first time this season he's had cortisone. Following his last shot, Lowell, once he was activated following the All-Star break, caught fire at the plate, hitting .389 over the next 10 games.
Lowell was in a deep .176 funk in 10 contests heading into Saturday, so the three-hit effort is a pleasant bit of relief for the third baseman. He was on fire in July (.389 AVG) and continued his solid effort in August (.319) but hasn't been able to recapture that magic in September until Saturday.
Youkilis started at third base and batted cleanup, with Mike Lowell getting the night of and Casey Kotchman manning first. "Yeah, he feels pretty good -- good enough where there were no qualms about playing him," Red Sox skipper Terry Francona said of Youkilis.
The Red Sox could field the same trio Wednesday, as Martinez and Youkilis likely need another day before returning to action.
Red Sox skipper Terry Francona started regular left fielder Jason Bay at designated hitter, followed by Casey Kotchman (first base), Rocco Baldelli (right field), Josh Reddick (left field) and Nick Green (shortstop) opposite Rays starter Matt Garza, a noted Sox slayer. The Tampa Bay righty entered Sunday 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 career starts against Boston. The regulars that rested in the opener are expected to play in Sunday's nightcap.
Lowell, who sent one out of the yard for the third time in the last 11 games, continues to shuttle in and out of the Red Sox lineup as he deals with an ailing hip. When he plays, though, he’s a legitimate contributor in all formats. On the year, the veteran third baseman is batting .296 with 69 RBIs and a formidable .505 slugging percentage in 103 games.
That likely leaves Jason Varitek catching, Victor Martinez starting at first and Kevin Youkilis playing third.
Lowell, who sat out for the third time in the last four games, really must be monitored on a daily basis. When his balky hip allows him to play, he's a valuable contributor and merits everyday playing time. He's batting .299 with 16 homers and 65 RBIs in 98 games this year.
The Victor Martinez trade has had little effect on Lowell's playing time, as he's started in almost every Red Sox game over the past couple of weeks with steady production along the way. The main loser of the deal has been Jason Varitek, who's taken a back seat to Martinez behind the plate.
Lowell has a seven-game hitting streak which has driven his batting average over the .300 mark, to .304. The third baseman, who's finished with a .300 batting average just once in his previous 11 seasons, has had luck in his favor this year. His .312 BABIP entering Sunday was the second-highest mark of his career.
The good news is that Red Sox skipper Terry Francona plans to start Varitek on Saturday. "After the three days [off] in Toronto, I just felt like I wanted him to catch tomorrow and Sunday," Francona said. Francona didn't say who would sit on Saturday to make way for Varitek. The most likely scenario is that Mike Lowell will get a day off, with Kevin Youkilis starting at third and Victor Martinez playing first.
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