With Lowell out, Youkilis trades places

Mike Lowell has one of those oblique injuries that requires lots of rehabilitation, and finger crossing that the two weeks on the disabled list will heal it. If not, the Sox will be seeing Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis playing a lot of third base. Youkilis has no problem with this. In fact, third is his natural position, so he looks forward to it.

"Mike Lowell is someone we need in our lineup," said Youkilis. "He's a tremendous player, and not having him in there is definitely something not good for our lineup, but going to third base is natural to me. I've always loved playing third. It's actually an easier position than first base, and that's something a lot of people don't realize. At third you don't quite have all the moving around as you do at first base. First base is far more physical."

Righthander David Pauley was brought up for the bullpen last night, but he was returned to Pawtucket after the game without seeing any action, and first baseman Jeff Bailey was recalled.

The Sox could also make a waiver deal for a corner infielder. While Sean Casey is a suitable replacement for Youkilis at first, the Sox may want more protection.

San Francisco Giants infielder Rich Aurilia is also drawing some interest from the Tampa Bay Rays. Because Boston is behind the Rays in the standings, it could block any move for a hitter to Tampa. The Rays have similar needs now with third baseman Evan Longoria on the disabled list with a fractured wrist. There aren't many third baseman out there. Another interesting name is former Red Sox Mark Loretta, currently with the Houston Astros.

Padres outfielder Brian Giles drew interest from the Sox and the Rays, but Giles invoked his no-trade to both Boston and Tampa Bay. Other hitters both teams might be interested in include Gary Sheffield and Kevin Millar. Sheffield has reportedly been placed on waivers and because of his hefty price tag - the remaining prorated portion of his $14 million salary this year and a $14 million salary next season - his value to many teams is likely minimal. Sheffield has spent the season trying to heal his right shoulder.

Sheffield said last Sunday that he doesn't care to be platooned and would rather play the field than DH. He belted two homers against the Blue Jays Tuesday and appears to be regaining his stroke. He could be good protection for David Ortiz in the lineup if the Sox elected to take a chance. Sheffield has always wanted to play for the Red Sox.

Manager Terry Francona had no way of knowing how long Lowell might be out of action.

"The things that worry you with the oblique area, you always hear the doctor say, when it stops hurting then wait a week, because it has a way of nagging," Francona said.

Francona had no qualms about using Casey at first more often.

"Putting Casey in, we have a guy that's hitting .350, a professional hitter, and the ability to move Youk over to third is huge," said Francona. "It's not like there's nowhere to play him. We have the ability to let [Jed] Lowrie play third, put [Alex ] Cora at short, and if we have to, we'll probably do that anyway. So there are some ways we can make this work. We're still comfortable that we can win with the guys that we have."

Byrd addresses HGH

Paul Byrd said he will not hide from the admittance he took human growth hormone, and being named in the Mitchell Report. Byrd had to address his HGH use prior to Game 7 of last year's American League Championship Series after the San Francisco Chronicle named him in an investigative piece.

"Obviously, the HGH thing in the middle of the playoffs like that was a distraction," said Byrd. "More disappointing than that was what we lost on the field."

Byrd said he had a hectic offseason trying to adhere to the commissioner's wishes of those named in the Mitchell Report and the paperwork he had to fill out to avoid suspension. He was one of the players often asked about HGH and the Mitchell Report but he admitted yesterday, "I felt as if I was in the witness protection program. I was told not to say anything. It was a grueling time."

Byrd, who convinced Kevin Cash to give up his No. 36, the number Byrd has worn for many years (Cash is now wearing 30), was thrilled at being wanted by a playoff contender.

"I want to be counted on," he said. "The alternative of that is taking the mound when games don't count and you're not in anything. And that's not fun at all. So, I love the pressure."

The amazing thing is that the Yankees, in desperate need of pitching, elected not to put in a claim on Byrd, who pitched five innings and allowed two runs in the Indians' Game 4 victory over the Sox in the ALCS. The Indians led the series, 3-1, but Boston came back to win.

"I wasn't a big Red Sox fan in the offseason," Byrd joked. "[I was] up, 3-1, and had a chance to win [the ALCS]. So I had to work through some forgiveness issues there, and it took about five minutes, because I couldn't wait to get over here, put on this jersey, and have a chance to make the playoffs."

He's been a huge fan of Francona, after pitching for him in Philadelphia.

"His one rule is play as hard as you can," said Byrd. "I learned a lot from him in Philly."

How does he plan to repay Cash?

"I hear he's a boots guy, so I might have to get him a couple pairs of boots, maybe a watch," he said. "I didn't know if the number was important to him or not, but it's been my number for a while, so it was nice of him to give it up."

"I just told him I wanted another ring and to pitch well. That's my present," Cash said.

Byrd said he's always enjoyed pitching at Fenway, noting the left-field wall isn't far away but "Fenway has a big center field and right field. The Green Monster will knock some balls down."

No Splitsville here

General manager Theo Epstein denied reports he and team president Larry Lucchino were heading for a split, as an SI.com article indicated earlier this week. The story said Lucchino might be headed to Los Angeles to head the Dodgers because he and Epstein are at odds, including the decision to part with Manny Ramírez. Lucchino responded, "Nothing [to it]. Speculation like this comes up every once in a while. A few weeks ago I was rumored be going north [to Toronto], this time to California. The fact is, I love Boston, New England, and the Red Sox and I want to finish my baseball career here with my family and my partners and my colleagues." . . . Before the game, the Sox honored former manager Joe Morgan on the 20th anniversary of Morgan's Magic . . . Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton had to leave in the middle of the game to fly back to Texas to be with his wife, who gave birth to the couple's third daughter . . . The Red Sox claimed righthander Marcus McBeth off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. McBeth was 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA in 24 relief appearances at Triple A Louisville this season. McBeth was assigned to Pawtucket and added to the 40-man roster. The Sox designated righthander Lincoln Holdzkom for assignment . . . Texas scratched righthander Vicente Padilla from tonight's scheduled start because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder. He's been replaced by Tommy Hunter.

 

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