NewsLowrie set for extended spring games
Rehabbing Red Sox shortstop to play Thursday, Friday
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
06/16/09 7:57 PM ET
BOSTON -- Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie is just about ready to start playing in games. The switch-hitter will go to Florida and play in extended spring games on Thursday and Friday, marking his first game action of any kind since April 11.Assuming that goes well, Lowrie will likely go to Triple-A Pawtucket, perhaps as early as this weekend.
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Lowrie underwent left wrist surgery on April 22, and he took batting practice against pitchers in Lowell, Mass., on Monday and Tuesday with Boston's short-season Class A affiliate.
"Jed did really well," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "Yesterday, he went up, he batted left- and right-handed. There were a lot of balls, which I think you can probably expect from young kids facing a Major League player -- they were probably nervous. But he saw a lot of pitches, took some swings; he did the same thing today with a little bit more success, at least from seeing pitches. He's a smart enough kid to use it to his advantage. I think he felt really rusty, and if he's going to feel rusty, that's a good place to have it."
Francona was asked if Lowrie's rehab assignment with Pawtucket would last about a week.
"I don't know, that might be a little quick," Francona said.
It is likely Lowrie will return to the Boston roster before the All-Star break.
Nick Green and Julio Lugo have been splitting the shortstop duties in Lowrie's absence.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
