Angels-Red Sox: updates on Mike Lowell, bullpens

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All hands on the bullpen deck tonight, according to the managers.

In the pregame news conferences, the Angels’ Mike Scioscia and the Red Sox’ Terry Francona each said he expected all of his team’s relievers to be available. (Of course, you would not expect either manager to announce publicly that any of his relievers were not available.)

Jonathan Papelbon, the Boston closer, threw 31 pitches on Sunday and has pitched two innings in each of the last two games. Francisco Rodriguez, the Angels’ closer, threw 33 pitches on Sunday. Scot Shields, the Angels’ primary setup man, pitched a season-high 2 1/3 innings on Sunday.

The Red Sox dropped third baseman Mike Lowell from the lineup because of his injured hip. Francona said doctors were evaluating Lowell on Monday afternoon, with the possibility that the Red Sox could replace him on the playoff roster. It is doubtful the Red Sox would make that move right away, because any player cut in the middle of a playoff round cannot be included on the roster for the next round.

Francona said he pinch-ran for Lowell during Sunday’s game, after he walked, because Francona feared he might not be able to reach second base on a ground ball in the hole

-- Bill Shaikin