Both Red Sox manager Terry Francona and Kevin Youkilis said the third baseman should be ready to when the team returns to Fenway Park Friday to play the Mariners after he left Thursday night's win in Baltimore with a jammed hip.
"I just slid and it got a little locked up," Youkilis told reporters after the Red Sox' 6-2 victory over the Orioles. "As the game went on, it locked up a little bit more, but I should be good to play [Friday]. It was bugging me, and Tito said, 'Give it a rest so you can play tomorrow.' "
The hip injury, which forced Youkilis out of the game in the eighth inning, occurred in the first inning when he slid into second base in trying to break up an eventual double-play. The cleanup hitter made three more plate appearances, coming away with a flyout, strikeout and walk before being replaced by Jed Lowrie.
Youkilis is hitting .208 but has an OPS of .890, best on the team. In eight games on the road trip, he led the Red Sox with three home runs while hitting .200.
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