NewsLowrie to have knee examined
Shortstop hampered of late after getting hit by a pitch in rehab
By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com
07/01/09 2:40 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Shortstop Jed Lowrie is headed back to Boston to have his left knee examined, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before Wednesday's series finale against the Orioles.Scott Waugh, the team's physical therapist, is scheduled to look at Lowrie on Wednesday. Lowrie has been on the disabled list since April 13 because of left wrist problems and underwent surgery on his wrist later in the month, but he's battled through other obstacles on his road to recovery.
The shortstop was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket on a rehab assignment on June 21 and has dealt with some more trouble there. Lowrie got hit on the knee with a pitch last week, and it's been bothering him, so he's getting it checked out.
"He is being looked at today," Francona said. "The knee [is being checked], it's the contusion. He got smoked in the knee, and I think he's got some swelling up where it kind of collects."
Lowrie played in only five games this season, batting .056 (1-for-18) before being placed on the DL and undergoing surgery.
After the surgery, Lowrie played a few games in Florida before heading to Pawtucket for that part of his rehab. The Red Sox were hoping he'd return to the team shortly before the All-Star break.
Nick Green has stepped in as the starting shortstop and played well. He's batting ninth for Wednesday's game, and he's hit four homers and 26 RBIs for the season. Francona said he's been improving defensively with more playing time and confidence, and the skipper likes what he sees.
"He's worked hard," Francona said. "He made some errors early on. His athleticism is coming out [now]; he's making plays we didn't see him make early in the year."
Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
