Red Sox 3B Lowell to undergo surgery

Oct 14, 2008 - 10:34 PM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, the 2007 World Series MVP, will not have an opportunity to repeat that feat this year if his team gets back to the Fall Classic.

The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Lowell will undergo surgery in New York next Monday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.

"They believe in three months I can be cleared to do more," Lowell said. "They've told me they've cleared NFL players (with similar injuries) for full contact after four months. I guess I'm banking on that."

Lowell has been having trouble bending over and fielding ground balls at third base and experienced discomfort at the plate in the Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

He was hitless in eight at-bats against the Angels before being taken off the active playoff roster. He was replaced by Gil Velasquez prior to Game 4 of the ALDS. Velasquez was then replaced by veteran reliever at the start of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lowell opted for the surgery now in the hope that he will be ready for spring training in February.

"I just didn't want to drag it out and then see if it affects the later part of spring training or even April of next year," Lowell said. "So, I think if I do it now, with the doctors' timetable, by mid-February everything should be totally good to go.

"I think that lines me up to have a good spring training, not be rushed and not have it affect next year."

The Red Sox trail the ALCS, two games to one, after suffering a 9-1 loss Monday.