--RHP Bartolo Colon threw a second side session and reported that his lower back was pain-free. He has been on the 15-day disabled list for the better part of a month but could be ready for a minor league rehab assignment by the end of the week, according to manager Terry Francona. If all goes according to plan, Colon could be ready for a return to the Sox rotation by the middle of August. "He's doing OK," said manager Terry Francona. "John (Farrell, pitching coach) and Bartolo feel pretty good about things. He's coming along. We've been trying to go at a pace where we don't have any setbacks and get him back healthy."
--LF Manny Ramirez crushed his 20th home run of the season, which makes it 14 consecutive seasons that Ramirez has hit at least 20 home runs in the major leagues. Ramirez joins Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Eddie Matthews, Rafael Palmeiro and Mike Schmidt on that list. The homer was also Ramirez's 510th of his career, which leaves him one short of Mel Ott for 22nd all-time. --RHP Justin Masterson made his third relief appearance of the season, and the lanky sinkerballer is continuing to find his way in the Sox bullpen. In three appearances covering 3 2/3 innings, Masterson has allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts. He already has been used in some tight spots this season, but don't expect him to be thrust into the pressure-cooker of the eighth-inning setup role anytime soon.
--SS Julio Lugo said that he has started undergoing pool-therapy sessions while attempting to recover from a severely strained right quadriceps muscle, but there's still no timetable on when he might return to the lineup. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since straining the leg muscle on July 11, and SS Jed Lowrie and SS Alex Cora have both performed surprisingly well in Lugo's absence. "It has felt good," Lugo said. "The muscle was a little tired, but there was no pain. The worst part is not being able to play and help the team. That kills me."
--SS Jed Lowrie has started eight of the last nine games during SS Julio Lugo's absence and is hitting a solid .296 during his trial run at the middle infield position. Overall, the 23-year-old has reached base in 17 out of the 22 major league games that he's played in this season and has been a revelation both offensively and defensively since joining the lineup.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3-4 -- Weeks that SS Julio Lugo is estimated to be out with a severely strained quadriceps muscle.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't care where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be. My job is to play baseball." -- OF Manny Ramirez to ESPN Deportes after saying he would welcome a trade away from the Red Sox.
