Mike Lowell is off Sox roster

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BOSTON -- An hour before the start of today’s Game 4 of the American League Division Series, the Boston Red Sox took infielder Mike Lowell off their playoff roster and replaced him with Los Angeles native Gil Velazquez.

Lowell, last year’s World Series MVP, has been hampered by a torn labrum in his right hip and was hitless in eight at-bats in the first two games against the Angels. But he looked particularly bad Sunday, when he was unable to get to two balls he would normally handle easily at third. Lowell came out of the game for a pinch-runner after walking in the 10th inning.

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said, ‘We certainly, without having a running conversation during the game, we kind of know where he’s at. When the game was over he was very sore. He showed up today very sore.’

Velazquez, whose contract was purchased from Triple A Pawtucket on Sept. 25, was 1 for 8 with one RBI in three regular-season games after hitting .260 with 10 homers and 46 RBI in 101 games in the minors, where he played all four infield positions as well as left field. Because Lowell was replaced on the active roster in the middle of a series, he will not be eligible to play in the league championship series if the Red Sox advance.

-- Kevin Baxter