Mike Lowell, who has gotten four of the last five days off, said that if not for the inter-league-mandated rotation between Kevin Youkilis, Ortiz, and himself, he would have expected to play Wednesday night. But the third baseman also reiterated that the stiffness that first cropped up last Thursday in his surgically-repaired right hip hasn't completely subsided.
 
Lowell has been reaffirmed by the Red Sox' doctors (he continues to play phone tag with the physician, Dr. Bryan Kelly, who performed his surgery) that the setback isn't out of the ordinary in regards to the progression of coming through such a procedure. But Lowell still is hoping that the next few days offer more encouraging results, otherwise there is the possibility he might implement a cortisone shot into the equation.
 
"Obviously I've had a few days off after I got a little stiff, but I'm looking to see if I can get to the point before I felt...

Jason Bay confirmed prior to the Red Sox' 6-4 win over the Nationals, Wednesday night at Nationals Park, that he has passed a citizenship test and will officially become a citizen of the United States in a ceremony on July 2. Bay, who was born and raised in Trail, British Columbia, took his 10-question exam last Friday. He will carry dual citizenship between the U.S. and Canada Prior to Bay, David Ortiz was the most recent member of the Red Sox to receive his United States citizenship, having done so last June. Click here for more on Bay's decision.