Red Sox right handed pitcher Josh Beckett, who left Tuesday night’s game in New York with a lower back strain, is headed to the disabled list. Righty reliever Joe Nelson is being called up from Pawtucket to take his spot on the roster.
Boston Red Sox infielder/DH Mike Lowell has asked the club to release him, saying it would be better for him and the team.
Lowell has seen limited time this year, and his at-bats figure to diminish even more with Jacob Ellsbury and Mike Cameron will be returning from injuries here shortly.
Mike Lowell has spent most of his season on the Red Sox’s bench and wants out.
He told ESPN.com’s Gordon Edes:
“I’m not mad at Tito (Francona, Boston manager). … What am I going to go and tell him, play me more? Why? Who am I going to play for? Honestly, I actually agree with everything they have done. I actually would have played David (Ortiz) more.”
Lowell, owed $12 million this year, lost his everyday job at third base when the Red Sox acquired Adrian Beltre over the winter. His trade value in spring training was limited because he was recovering from thumb surgery, so he was penciled in as a back-up at third and insurance policy in case Ortiz could no longer hold down the everyday designated hitter job. But Ortiz is starting to hit and Beltre plays every day.
Lowell, 36, is hitting .259 in 58 at-bats and recognizes he’s an unneeded spare part. “I literally eat up a roster spot,” he told Edes.
