Jed Lowrie was anointed the Boston Red Sox starting shortstop when veteran Julio Lugo went down with a bum knee. But the job now appears to belong to journeyman Nick Green with Lowrie apparently headed for wrist surgery.
"I think there's a pretty good chance that (Lowrie's) going to have a surgery in the next day or so, but we're still having some internal discussions," manager Terry Francona told MLB.com.
The switch-hitting 25-year-old has battled wrist problems dating back to May of last year. He had hoped that rest a rehab would get him back into game shape, but the problem arose anew during spring training. Lowrie had been struggling this month, managing only one hits in 18 at-bats.
The "good news," if it can be called that, is that he is expected to be back as soon as July. In the meantime, Green will be manning short while the team awaits the return of Lugo, who is reportedly "80 percent" ready and slated to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket this week.
"I think the medical people think that even with the surgery that he would be having, he could be playing by the All-Star break," said Francona. "That's where we're at today. We'll obviously know more [later] or tomorrow."
