Mike Lowell Expected to Make Spring Training Debut Next Week

Starting next week, Mike Lowell may have the chance to show the baseball world that he's healthy. According to The Providence Journal, the Red Sox third baseman could make his spring training debut on Monday.

Lowell had hoped to play on Friday, but Terry Francona feels it would make more sense to wait until Monday.

"We're probably shooting more for Monday with Mikey Lowell," Francona told the paper. "That's probably a realistic target."

The Red Sox may want Lowell to return to the field sooner rather than later to show other teams that the four-time All-Star is healthy.

Boston agreed to trade Lowell and $9 million to the Texas Rangers for catcher Max Ramirez last December, but Texas called off the trade following concerns about Lowell's injured right thumb. Lowell's spot with the 2010 Red Sox is in question following the team's signing of Adrian Beltre in the offseason.

The team may use Lowell at both third base and first base in spring training games to show his versatility to other teams.