Mike Lowell has been activated from the disabled list and will rejoin the Red Sox tonight in place of the injured Kevin Youkilis.

Lowell has been stuck in a rehab assignment with the Red Sox left without a place to put him. With a decision required today, the situation seems to have solved itself in the worst way possible, as Kevin Youkilis has been placed on the disabled list after injuring his thumb Monday against the Indians.

Lowell has been tearing up Triple-A pitching during his rehab assignment, trying to find a place on the Red Sox or another team, hitting .500/.500/1.227 in 22 at bats in Pawtucket. The Red Sox could not find any trade partners, but now have need of the veteran infielder again as their injury plagued season continues.

The Red Sox will start Lowell at first base tonight, where he will likely get most of the time as Youkilis recovers.