During the offseason, the Red Sox tried to trade Mike Lowell to the Rangers (they were unsuccessful). Seemingly stuck with him, he was limited to just 31 games in 2010 before Boston once again tried to trade him away (again, unsuccessfully). Finally, out of options, the Red Sox put him on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hip on June 23.
Now, a week and a half after Lowell began a rehab assignment, their inability to trade may be a blessing in disguise.
Tuesday night, in a game for Triple-A Pawtucket, the third baseman hit three home runs, and in four games with the PawSox, he's hitting .471.
"It felt real good," Lowell told Toledo TV station WTVG. "I welcome the at-bats. I really haven't had consistent at-bats all year.
"A day like today is special. I don't care what level you're at. I'll take this any time."
Lowell is expected to make another start for Pawtucket on Thursday, and could be ready to rejoin the big league club when they return home on Friday.