Mike Lowell set for surgery

Boston Herald—October 15, 2008   

Third baseman Mike Lowell will have his right hip surgically repaired Monday, the timetable sped up to maximize Lowell's chances of being ready for the start of spring training in February.

Lowell was told five days ago by general manager Theo Epstein that there was a 99 percent chance he would not be placed on the World Series roster should the team make it.

"Once it was pretty clear that I was a longshot to be on the World Series roster," the decision was made, Lowell said. "I didn't want to drag it out and then see if it would affect me in the latter part of spring training. This allows me to have a full spring training and not be rushed."

Dr. Bryan Kelly, an orthopedic surgeon and hip specialist who works out of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and also works with the New York Giants, will perform the surgery, assisted by Red Sox physician Dr. Peter Asnis.

The tear in the labrum will be repaired, the bone spur atop his femur shaved off and the doctors will look at Lowell's adductor muscle, also an area of concern. The entire procedure will be performed arthroscopically.

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