BALTIMORE — Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell had fluid drained from his ailing right hip Monday in Boston, and received an injection that might relieve inflammation in his surgically repaired joint.

The Red Sox will wait at least a couple of days to determine whether the treatment was successful or whether Lowell needs to be placed on the disabled list, manager Terry Francona said before Monday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.
“The worst case scenario: He goes on the DL just to buy us a couple of weeks and get him for the second part of the season,” Francona said. “We can also wait a few day ... We’re just kind of in a waiting mode.”
Francona said Lowell had an injection of Synvisc — a gel-like substance that sometimes provides relief for inflamed tissue. He said Lowell will undergo therapy there Tuesday before the team decides how to proceed.
“(Lowell) had 15 CCs of fluid taken out, which for a hip, I think, is pretty extensive. I think that’s going to really help,” Francona said.
Lowell had successful arthroscopic surgery on the hip last October. He is hitting .282 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs, but has not played since appearing as a pinch-hitter Saturday.
Francona suggested it was unlikely Lowell would rejoin the Red Sox in Baltimore, where the teams play a day game Wednesday. The Red Sox are off Thursday before opening a three-game home series against Seattle on Friday.