By Sean McAdam
CSNNE.com Red Sox InsiderFollow @sean_mcadam
By Danny Picard
CSNNE.comFollow @dannypicard
BOSTON -- Shortstop Jed Lowrie visited Dr. Lewis Youcum Wednesday in Los Angeles, seeking a second opinion on his bruised left shoulder which has bothered him for more than three weeks.
Lowrie came out of last Thursday's game in Tampa Bay during an at-bat in which he felt the shoulder pop out of joint and was placed on the disabled list the following day.
Yocum agreed with the diagnosis provided by the Red Sox' medical staff -- that Lowrie was suffering from a left shoulder strain -- and that surgery was unnecessary.
Lowrie had been frustrated that, even before the incident at Tropicana Field, the shoulder was not getting much better. It now seems, however, that rest and a strengthening program are the best route to a return to the lineup.
The Red Sox offense only scored one run on Wednesday afternoon, but that didnt mean everybody was slacking. Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, and Kevin Youkilis each had multihit games, with Gonzalez finishing 4-for-4 with an RBI.
It was Gonzalez third game this season with at least four hits.
Boston Red Sox
Hes a monster, man, said David Ortiz after Bostons 5-1 loss to San Diego on Wednesday. Hes something special, very special. This is one of a kind. Kind of guy that makes it looks so easy. He has that great swing. His approach is unbelievable. Hes a smart hitter. He knows where to hit the ball. Not like me, I hit rockets right at people.
Ortiz didnt have a very good offensive day, going 0-for-3, and stranding seven of the Red Sox 10 runners left on base.
Padres starter Clayton Richard wasnt anything crazy, said Ortiz. We were hitting rockets right at people. Not much can you do about it.
Shortstop Marco Scutaro was a last-minute scratch on Wednesday afternoon because of an illness. Red Sox manager Terry Francona pretty much considered him day-to-day after the loss.
Hes a little better, said Francona after the loss. Hes just not feeling real well. We got him out of there maybe a half hour, 20 minutes before the game.
We dont play tomorrow. He wont miss a game tomorrow, and well go from there.
Drew Sutton played in Scutaro's place and went 0-for-2 with an error.
Its not easy, said Sutton. Basically going into it blind against the opposing pitcher. When you know youre playing you have time to look at a pitcher and see what hes doing. Its tough to do, but thats the role. Thats kind of what youve got to do.
Francona said there hasnt been much improvement on Josh Beckett's illness, throwing into question his scheduled weekend start. He's already missed one start, Tuesday night, because of the sickness.
Francona called the ailment good old fashioned case of the flu". As of Wednesdaymorning, the Red Sox manager had no timetable for when Beckett will shake off theillness.
Hes really sick, Francona said. The doctors are trying tofigure it out. I have not seen him this morning. He wasnt good yesterday.
Because its the off-day on Thursday, were actually okay.There are some either-ors. Andrew Miller will throw maybe a little shorter side today,just in case he has to pitch Sunday instead of Monday.
Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks (back) will throw anotherside session on Thursday. He threw 20 pitches on Tuesday, and will throw alittle more than that during the off-day.
He is making really rapid steps the last three or fourdays, which is great, said Francona.
Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam
Danny Picard is on twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard.