--OF Mark Kotsay will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on Saturday. The 33-year-old underwent the second back surgery of his career this winter, and had been working out over the last few weeks in extended spring training. Kotsay missed all of spring training rehabbing from the injury. He hit .276 with six home runs and 49 RBIs in 110 games with the Sox and the Braves last season. Kotsay will serve as a fourth outfielder for the Sox upon his return in the next few weeks.

--3B Mike Lowell went 0-for-2 Thursday, and his 13-game hitting streak ended when manager Terry Francona lifted him for a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. Lowell hit .393 with three home runs and 19 RBIs during the streak, and he pushed himself up among the American League RBI leaders. SS Nick Green replaced Lowell in Thursday's blowout loss and went 0-for-1.

--OF J.D. Drew (tight left quad) was back in the lineup Thursday night after missing Wednesday night's finale against the Indians. Drew had missed portions of the last few games with the quad problems. Drew went 0-for-2 and was replaced by Jonathan Van Every in the sixth inning Thursday.

--1B Kevin Youkilis (sore back) was back in the lineup Thursday after missing Wednesday night's finale against the Indians. Youkilis was recently hit by pitches twice in the same area of his back. Youkilis was lifted for 1B Jeff Bailey in the sixth inning Thursday.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Kevin Youkilis (sore back) did not play April 29. He returned to action April 30.

OF J.D. Drew (sore left quadriceps) left the April 26 game. He did not play April 27, was back in the lineup April 28 and then was sidelined again April 29. He returned to play April 30.

OF Rocco Baldelli (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21. The injury was considered minor.

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (mild right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He threw on flat ground April 21 and threw long toss April 27.

OF Mark Kotsay (back surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 2, and he could be back with the Red Sox in mid-May.

SS Jed Lowrie (sprained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He had surgery April 21, and he is expected to be out until the All-Star break.

RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was hoping to pitch for the Red Sox in June, but the timetable might be pushed back after he suffered a setback April 30. He was shut down from throwing for 10 to 14 days.

RHP Miguel Gonzalez (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14.

ROTATION:

RHP Josh Beckett

LHP Jon Lester

RHP Tim Wakefield

RHP Brad Penny

RHP Justin Masterson

BULLPEN:

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (closer)

LHP Hideki Okajima

RHP Ramon Ramirez

RHP Manny Delcarmen

RHP Takashi Saito

LHP Javier Lopez

LHP Hunter Jones

CATCHERS:

Jason Varitek

George Kottaras

INFIELDERS:

1B Kevin Youkilis

2B Dustin Pedroia

SS Nick Green

3B Mike Lowell

DH David Ortiz

SS Julio Lugo

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Jason Bay

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

RF J.D. Drew

OF Jeff Bailey

OF Jonathan Van Every