Kevin Youkilis Placed on DL, Mike Lowell Activated
The Boston Red Sox injury problems have caught them again as first baseman (FB) Kevin Youkilis tore a muscle in his thumb. As a result, the Red Sox cleanup hitter was placed on the disabled list.
Another member of the team, Mike Lowell, who has been sitting on the bench for most of the season with injuries and a lack of a role with the team, has now been activated and will play in Youkilis' spot. Lowell had been linked to trade rumours as he saw no role for himself on the team, and he is in the final year of his contract.
Lowell is also a former World Series MVP and two-time champion.
Youkilis, meanwhile, may have to undergo surgery. The team sent him to a hand specialist, who said Youkilis has a rare muscle tear. The team is going out for a second opinion before determining whether Youkilis will undergo surgery or just recover with rest.
“If he has to have surgery now, it's certainly fixable," said Terry Francona, manager of the Red Sox.
In Monday’s game against the Cleveland Indians, Youkilis injured his right thumb in the first inning and left the game shortly after.
Lowell has expressed his frustration with his reduced role on the team. He has not played since being placed on the disabled list in June. During his rehab assignment in the minors, Lowell hit four home runs in just two games.
The 36-year-old has lost his starting job at third base due to the younger Adrian Beltre playing extraordinary, and the Red Sox made it no secret that Lowell was probably in his last days with the team.
Youkilis is second on the team in batting average with .307 behind Beltre’s .336. He is also tied with Beltre in second with 19 homeruns behind David Ortiz’s 22. His on-base percentage of .411 is third in the American League. He now joins a long list of Red Sox who have been placed on the disabled list so far this season.
Lowell, it appears, will have an extended tenure with the Sox for now. When Youkilis returns, the Sox will likely place him on trade waivers.
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