Marco Scutaro to Have MRI on Ailing Right Shoulder on Tuesday

Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro has played through whatever comes his way this season, but on Tuesday, he'll finally have his aching right rotator cuff MRI'd.

In a season full of injuries, Scutaro has only missed five contests for the Red Sox. And while his effort has been admirable, the team wants him to get his shoulder checked out to avoid any further damage.

"I told him [Saturday] he could take his pick of playing the second game or today," Red Sox manager Terry Francona told redsox.com. "He wanted to play the second game. He had real good numbers [against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd], so that made sense.

"We know he's playing through a lot," the skipper said. "How much, we don't know. We'll get him looked at on Tuesday." 

While there may be bad news on the horizon for Scutaro, there is good news for Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek. He is finally on a rehab assignment as he battles back from a foot injury and he's hopeful to return soon.

He went 1-for-2 on Sunday and will likely be in the lineup as the designated hitter for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday.

It's been a long year for Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell. Making matters worse, it was revealed this weekend that the veteran has been playing recently with a rib fracture. Lowell is still undecided on whether or not he'll play next season, but for the meantime, he's going to keep playing until he literally physically can't.

"If it gets to the point where I have to do something different at the
plate or different in the field I think it's time to take a step back,"
he said over the weekend.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia saw his season officially come to an end on Friday when he had surgery on his fractured left foot.