Red Sox place RF Drew on DL

Aug 26, 2008 - 11:35 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox on Tuesday placed right fielder J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 18, with a lower back strain.

Drew, who suffered the injury backing up a play in the outfield against the Toronto Blue Jays last week, has not seen any improvement to his condition.

A first-time All-Star this season, Drew is batting .280 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI in 107 games. He ranks third in the American League with a .408 on-base percentage.

In a flurry of activity Tuesday, the Red Sox also activated righthander Tim Wakefield from the 15-day disabled list, optioned righthander Chris Smith to Class AAA Pawtucket and purchased the contract of utilityman Joe Thurston from Pawtucket.

To make room for Thurston on the 40-man roster, Boston transferred righthander Bartolo Colon to the 60-day DL.