BOSTON -- Mike Lowell's sore thumb would not have stopped him from playing a postseason game.
But with the risk/reward skewed so heavily toward on the side of risk, the Red Sox did not want to take a chance with one of their most productive run producers, so Lowell was a late scratch from the starting lineup. It was the second straight game he's missed because of the thumb.
"I think we have more to lose today than just the game,'' manager Terry Francona said.
WAKEFIELD UPDATE:Tim Wakefield, who became the all-time leader in games started for the Red Sox over the summer, will accompany the club to Anaheim but will not be placed on the 25-man postseason roster for the American League Division Series.
But that doesn't mean he might not be considered for a later round, should the Red Sox advance.
"We told him we're not shelving his season,'' Francona said. "Wake has the ability to go out two weeks from now and throw a good game. We all understand where he's at and he was completely on board with what we're doing.''
Wakefield, 43, has been bothered by a herniated disk in his lower back that has caused him to walk with a visible limp. He said he will undergo surgery to alleviate the discomfort over the winter and plans to attempt to pitch in 2010.
DELCARMEN UPDATE:Manny Delcarmen, who was involved in an auto accident on his way to Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon, was still stiff from the accident on Sunday. His not being able to pitch during the final weekend could impede his ability to make the 25-man playoff roster.
BALDELLI UPDATE:Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to undergo an MRI at Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday morning, a few hours before the club leaves for southern California and their date with the Angels in the first round of the playoffs. Baldelli is suffering from a hip flexor injury he incurred during Friday night's game against Cleveland.
ETC.: The Red Sox will have one last workout at Fenway Park on Monday morning. They then will fly to Southern California in the afternoon and have scheduled a workout at Angels Stadium on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.
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