Lowrie's Doctors, Lugo's Progress

A quick update on the shortstop situation:

Lowrie will head to Arizona tomorrow to visit Dr. Donald Sheridan. This is Lowrie's fourth opinion on the matter, and will likely be the final say. The options are the same: injections and short rehab; minor surgery, short rehab; complete surgery, season ending. At the moment, Lowrie is going with the injections, but seems resigned to the idea that surgery may very well be necessary. We should know in the coming days.

On a more optimistic note, Julio Lugo is up to playing three innings in extended spring training games. Lugo took five at bats yesterday, slapping a double and scoring subsequent, all without any apparent strain to the knee. No word on the official timetable for his return, but the club seems encouraged.

In the meantime, Mean Nick Green has proven himself able. We'll just hope that by the time scouts find his "Ellsbury pitch," Lugo or Lowrie will be ready to go.

Slings and Arrows

More great news: Jed Lowrie is visiting today a Baltimore hand specialist, Dr. Tom Graham. And the options are not encouraging: 1) minor surgery, bone removal, six week recovery; 2) injections and rehab, one month or more recovery; 3) major surgery, season ending.

This is the same injury that nagged Lowrie last year, yesterday's MRIs confirmed. Lowrie admitted that it's been bothering him now for the last 2 and 1/2 to 3 weeks.

This is a pretty big blow to the Sox, who were obviously were even more dependent on Lowrie's emergence in light of the Julio Lugo situation. And you gotta feel for the kid. He finally gets his chance to seize the starting shortstop gig full-time and then this happens. This can't be a good day for many in the Sox clubhouse.