Reliever Randy Williams was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the active roster, according to reports out of Target Field.
Lowrie suffered a left shoulder injury in a collision with Carl Crawford in Detroit back in May. He attempted to play through the pain but saw his production decline dramatically. In an at-bat at Tampa Bay on June 16, he looked to be in pain in a strikeout against David Price, and was immediately removed from the game, spending nearly two months on the DL.
The 27-year-old Lowrie, who took over the starting spot at shortstop earlier in the year with a torrid April, was 7-for-17 (.412) with four doubles and five RBIs in five rehab games with Pawtucket. He returns to the Red Sox sporting a .270 mark with three home runs and 25 RBIs in 55 games.
The Red Sox likely will use Lowrie in a relative platoon with Marco Scutaro at shortstop, with Lowrie getting the bulk of the starts against left-handers. However, Lowrie's versatility will allow manager Terry Francona to spell guys like Youkilis from time to time while replacing him with a productive bat.
Williams, 35, appeared in seven games out of the Boston bullpen since mid-July. He was 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA. His departure leaves Franklin Morales as the lone lefty in the bullpen, although Andrew Miller is available in that capacity until he makes his next start, likely next Tuesday or Wednesday at home against Tampa Bay.
