--1B Sean Casey has been battling a stiff neck since Thursday's off day and hasn't played in a game since last Aug. 19. He is hopeful that he'll be ready to go if needed in the three-game series against the New York Yankees starting Tuesday night, but he's among the many walking wounded for the Sox. With 3B Mike Lowell still out with an oblique injury, Casey was primed for a good deal of playing time before coming down with the stiff neck. With Casey out of commission over the weekend in Toronto, 1B Kevin Youkilis stayed at first base and 3B Jed Lowrie took over at third.
--OF J.D. Drew has missed six games with a sore lower back, and manager Terry Francona was hoping that the injury wouldn't necessitate a stay on the 15-day disabled list. Drew hasn't played in a game since Aug. 17 with lower back stiffness, and could be placed on the DL if he isn't ready to play in New York Tuesday night. If the right fielder is forced to the injured list, he would be eligible to come off the disabled list on Sept. 2. Given Drew's uncertain health status, the Sox have reportedly inquired on potential waiver trade possibilities, such as Atlanta Braves OF Mark Kotsay and Houston Astros OF Darrin Erstad. --DH David Ortiz snapped an 0-for-11 spell with a double in Sunday afternoon's win in Toronto and finished the game 1-for-5. Even with the short hitless spell, Big Papi is hitting .313 (15-for-48) with three home runs and 16 RBIs to go along with 12 walks in his last 13 games. Monday's off day should do nothing but help Ortiz's unpredictable left wrist. Ortiz is a lifetime .309 hitter in 53 games at Yankee Stadium with 16 home runs and 35 RBI.
--3B Mike Lowell is scheduled to meet with the Red Sox's medical director, Dr. Tom Gill, in New York on Tuesday to discuss resuming baseball activities with the team. Lowell could come off the 15-day disabled list as early as Thursday if his right oblique strain is adequately healed, but it's more likely that he won't be activated until after Sept. 1. Lowell was hitting .270 with 14 home runs and 67 RBIs when he went on the 15-day DL on Aug. 14.
--RHP Clay Buchholz made his first start for Class AA Portland (Maine) on Monday night and did it at Portland's home ballpark, Hadlock Field, on Clay Buchholz Bobblehead Night. The 24-year-old finished seven innings of work and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out eight New Britain Rock Cats hitters. Buchholz threw 93 pitches -- 69 for strikes -- and made a nice first step after the first real rough patch of his career. Sox officials are hopeful that reuniting with Class AA pitching coach Mike Cather will help Buchholz both regain confidence and refine his mechanics.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Seasons that Jason Varitek has hit 10 or more home runs for the Sox during his career, a franchise record for Sox catchers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Pedroia is always going to be like a 16-or 17-year old because he's little and he's got a baby face, but he just rakes. Dude, he comes up with some lines and you'll be laughing. He hit a ball off the Green Monster once and he came back to the dugout and said to me 'Hey Big Punish. You know it's gonna rain, right?' and I was like 'Why?' He goes, 'Didn't you just see the lightning show?' " -- DH David Ortiz talking to the "Hacks with Haggs" blog about Dustin Pedroia.
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