--SS Jed Lowrie didn't play Monday night in the series opener against the White Sox because of a bruised left shoulder. The injury occurred in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader in Detroit when Lowrie collided with LF Carl Crawford in pursuit of a flyball in shallow left field. Neither Lowrie nor the Red Sox believe the injury is serious. "It's not structural or any tear or anything like that," Lowrie said. "I just have to work through that knot. It's pretty tight. My body feels great. I'll continue to get treatment, and I'm confident it will continue to get better quickly." In Lowrie's absence, UT Drew Sutton played shortstop. It was his sixth start in seven games at three different positions. Sutton went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .208.

--RHP Bobby Jenks is expected to be activated Tuesday from the disabled list and will have his first opportunity to face his former team. Jenks, the erstwhile White Sox closer who was non-tendered by Chicago last December, hasn't pitched in the majors since May 1 because of a right biceps strain. He made two rehab appearances for Class AAA Pawtucket. It has been a rocky start to Jenks' career with the Red Sox. Before the injury, he posted a 9.35 ERA in 11 appearances. "It's a good thing he went (on the rehab assignment)," manager Terry Francona said, "because he shook a little rust off, even to his own opinion. And now he'll come back and help us."

--CF Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-4 with a double Monday night to extend his modest hitting streak to six games. Ellsbury also has drawn seven walks in the last seven games, leaving his season on-base percentage at .366. Ellsbury isn't known for his patience at the plate, but the Red Sox have emphasized the importance of having him reach base. "If he hits in deep counts and gets on base, we're going to be in a lot better shape," manager Terry Francona said. "We're a totally different team when he's hitting successfully in the leadoff spot."

--RHP Dan Wheeler tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings Monday night against the White Sox, but Wheeler's numbers were deceiving. After replacing LHP Jon Lester with two outs in the sixth inning, he allowed a two-run single up the middle by Carlos Quentin, stretching a 5-3 lead to 7-3. Wheeler struck out dangerous Paul Konerko to end the inning, but his inability to retire Quentin left the Red Sox in a larger hole.

--LHP Franklin Morales, who made two ineffective appearances for Boston after being acquired from Colorado, landed on the disabled list due to a left forearm strain. The Red Sox recalled RH reliever Michael Bowden from Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.), where he was 2-1 with four saves and a 4.15 ERA in 17 games.

BY THE NUMBERS
4 -- Losses for the Red Sox in the last seven games.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I don't care one bit about May. That means nothing to me. I feel better about the way that we're playing. Those arbitrary deadlines mean nothing. We're playing better, and that's what we feel good about. For the most part, we're giving ourselves a chance to win. That doesn't mean we're always going to win, but we're giving ourselves a chance." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona, on the club's 19-9 mark this month.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.