From ESPN's Peter Gammons: "[The Red Sox] really don't know what to expect with Mike Lowell. He's optimistic, but one way or another they need to find another bat. If they can go out and get someone like Garrett Atkins who can play a little first base and a little third base, maybe even take a chance on Nick Johnson -- even though his defense has been pretty poor lately. They need another bat one way or another; they can't be sure Lowell will be his old self." ... From ESPN.com's Buster Olney: [I've] written here a bunch about what a dud of a market this could be before the July 31 trade deadline because there are so few teams in position to take on money -- the Red Sox, the Brewers, Giants, Mets, the Dodgers, and…well, not many other clubs. ... From Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com: If necessary, the Red Sox could even add a starter, or upgrade in other areas. They are "way under budget," according to one club official, and the resurgence of designated hitter David Ortiz, improved defense of shortstop Nick Green and looming return of shortstop Jed Lowrie have — for now — temporarily eased the team's biggest crises. Meanwhile, the Sox's bullpen is so deep, the club are perfectly open to trading Saito, whose swing-and-miss percentage entering Thursday night was higher than closer Jonathan Papelbon's. Saito, 39, is earning $2.5 million, and his contact includes a series of roster and appearance bonuses. The Sox would pay a healthy percentage of those to get a better prospect.

From the Globe's Amalie Benjamin: The Red Sox yesterday put Mike Lowell on the disabled listed retroactive to June 28, meaning he will be eligible to return on the last day before the All-Star break. That likely means Lowell will return July 17, the team’s first game after the break. It will give Lowell 19 days - and 14 games - off the hip, where he has experienced tightness for the past 10 days. “It was something we had kind of talked about with Mikey, with Theo [Epstein], the medical staff, [rehabilitation coordinator] and Scott Waugh today,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “On one side, Mikey showed up today and felt great. That was the good news. Great, like to the point where he’s thinking about maybe he could play in a couple days, which we were excited about. At the same time, and I think Mikey agrees with this, if he plays a couple days, takes a day off, plays a couple days, and he’s not feeling as good as he wants, we kind of ruined a really good opportunity." First baseman/outfielder Jeff Bailey was called up to take Lowell’s place ... Lowell was placed on the DL after receiving an injection of Synvisc in his strained hip on Monday. The Sox have used Synvisc before, notably for the knees of Keith Foulke and David Wells. “I spoke to Brad Mills, I think he had [Synvisc] in his knee, said he felt great the day after,’’ Lowell said before the procedure. “So I’m hoping that’s the case for me. If that happens, if I have to do that and take two days off and I feel great, maybe we got over the hump."

From Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com (June 16): For all the talk about the Red Sox trading right-handed starter Brad Penny, the team might be just as inclined to move right-handed reliever Takashi Saito. The Sox discussed sending Saito to the Rangers for infielder Hank Blalock, major-league sources say. The talks, however, were tabled after Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton underwent right-abdominal surgery on June 2. They are unlikely to revive, sources say, in part because of the resurgence of Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who has a 1.001 OPS in June. Saito, however, remains in demand, with several teams expressing interest. At this point, the Sox probably would prefer to trade him for a prospect, according to one source. ... From Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post: Another reliever who could help [the Rockies] tremendously is Takashi Saito. Given Boston's depth, he will be dangled as trade bait. Saito has dominated the NL West. The Red Sox, along with the Tigers and Phillies, like Ryan Spilborghs, but that wouldn't be enough.

From the Globe’s Amalie Benjamin: Jed Lowrie will return to the Sox soon, though it could take until the All-Star break, and at that point a decision will be made. That certainly could be the end of the Lugo era in Boston, and the shortstop would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of being released. The Sox would be on the hook for his salary, and he could be signed by any club for the league minimum. Lugo knows he has been languishing on the bench in favor of a player who is making approximately $8.5 million less this season, a player signed to a nonguaranteed contract before spring training. “If you think about it, nothing you can do,’’ Lugo said. “Tried to talk to the manager once. It’s his decision. There’s nothing I can do. I’m a player. They make the lineup.” Although he started at shortshop on June 27, Lugo previously had not started since June 14. “Something’s going to have to happen,’’ Lugo said. “But I’m here right now. That’s the only thing I can do. Try to get ready to play. Let’s not throw wood on the fire. I’m here right now and I don’t want to start a war.”

From the Globe’s Tony Massarotti: Before the game on June 27, Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay said he has “gotten to the point where I’m just not going to talk about it’’ when asked about impending free agency. But with the All-Star break approaching, the Red Sox could very well use that opportunity to try to strike a long-term deal. The Sox have negotiated contracts during the season with other players, most notably Josh Beckett and David Ortiz. The All-Star break typically provides a good opportunity for such talks, especially because the trading deadline and pennant races become a priority in the second half. “Until there’s a press conference or until it’s the end of the season, it’s really a moot point for me,’’ Bay said. The American League leader in RBIs, Bay seems to be dealing from a position of strength, given the absence of a suitable replacement. The Red Sox are believed to have used Adam Dunn’s two-year, $20 million contract with Washington as a starting point with Bay during spring discussions that went nowhere He is currently earning a base salary of $7.5 million and could command double that on the open market in a three- or four-year deal. While Bay isn't concerned about getting a contract done, the Sox "have every intention of revisiting talks with the outfielder before the end of the season," a baseball source has confirmed.

From the Globe’s Tony Massarotti: With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the disabled list and the ages John Smoltz (42) and Tim Wakefield (43), Penny has been far more valuable to the Red Sox than people might think. And though the Red Sox almost certainly will have needs when the July 31 trading deadline approaches, Penny has more value to them in a Boston uniform than he does in anyone else’s. “We didn’t sign him to trade him,’’ Red Sox manager Terry Francona said June 27, a day before Penny pitched in a loss to the Braves. “We signed him to win. He’s worked hard. I only think it’s going to continue to get better.’’ Although Dodgers coach Larry Bowa popped off during spring training about Penny’s laziness, all but calling him a complete waste of talent, Francona has repeatedly called him a good teammate. “You kind of hear this stuff. Now that he’s here, he isn’t that guy,” Francona said. “This kid’s solid. He works [very hard]. He takes responsibility.’’ Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, who was also Penny’s teammate while both were with the Marlins, said Penny seems comfortable in Boston. “I’m glad they haven’t traded him and I hope they don’t,’’ Beckett said. “People talk about him being a No. 5 starter. I want you to show me the teams who have four starters better than that guy.’’

From ESPN’s Buster Onley: Joe Mauer could become a free agent after 2010, and given that he's a catcher and he's one of the game's best pure hitters and he'll be 27 at the end of next season, there's going to be a lot written and said about whether he might be headed to the Red Sox or the Yankees or the Angels or Mets or some other big market team for huge dollars. But Mauer is from Minnesota and is represented by Ron Shapiro, who was the agent for Cal Ripken and Kirby Puckett and worked to keep each of those stars with their original teams. Mauer will make $12.5 million next season and he will, of course, be in line for a huge raise; if he wanted to chase the biggest offer he could do that, and the Twins probably would be outbid. But the Twins will probably be aggressive in trying to keep him, by their standards, and in the end, it's possible that Mauer will decide -- as Ripken and Puckett did -- that he preferred to stay with the team that drafted and developed him.