Surgery likely for Lowrie

After Lowrie met with Dr. Donald Sheridan in Arizona - yet another opinion from yet another specialist - manager Terry Francona said the shortstop is likely to have surgery on his left wrist in the next few days. Two procedures had been considered by Lowrie, one that would cost him the season and one that could bring him back by July.

"We're still having some internal discussions," Francona said. "In saying that, I think it's generally pretty good news. I think the medical people even think with the surgery that he would be having he could be playing by the All-Star break. That's where we're at today."

Lowrie played through a non-displaced fracture in the left wrist last season, discovering the severity of the injury only after the season. He rehabbed with rest, and without surgery, which appeared to be the correct choice as he batted .343 in spring training. But he began to feel pain in the wrist at the end of the spring, and finally told the Sox about the discomfort a week ago.

Complicating matters, of course, is that Lugo has been out for more than a month after tearing his meniscus. He went to Fort Myers, Fla., for extended spring training while the Sox were on the West Coast and rejoined the team yesterday. After passing tests given by the medical staff, Lugo is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Pawtucket today.

"I feel much better," said Lugo, who estimated himself at 80 percent. "I've got mobility now. I don't have that much pain now.

"I had my meniscus done. They also cleaned my knee. The one inside takes 8-10 weeks, that's what they say. I feel good. My little spots, when I do some stuff, it bothers me a little. That's going to be there, but I can tolerate that."

Lugo said the pain comes when he bends or squats, and when he goes to his right. It's a problem on defense, but has not been an issue at the plate.

Though there appears to be no timetable on Lugo's return, he said he would not rush back because of the trouble with Lowrie. Nick Green has been starting at shortstop and doing a capable job.

But coming around second, Baldelli aggravated an injury that kept him out of the lineup last Wednesday.

"He's sore," Francona said. "We'll know more tomorrow. It had been bothering him this week and he got to the point where he really felt pretty good today. Then he was going around second and it grabbed at him a little bit. We're going to need to reevaluate him in the morning and see how it goes."

Nothing official had been decided yesterday, though Jeff Bailey was removed from the lineup in Pawtucket in the top of the ninth inning, and could be the replacement if Baldelli is placed on the disabled list. The only outfielders on the 40-man roster who are not on the active roster are Mark Kotsay and Jonathan Van Every, both of whom are injured.

The 40-man roster is currently full. But if Lowrie has surgery, he could be a candidate for the 60-day DL, opening a spot.

Monique Walker of the Globe staff contributed to this report.