Lowell Is Close to Playing Again

Doctors evaluating Mike Lowell’s sore groin found no recurrence of cancer, and the Florida Marlin third baseman may be back in the lineup as early as Monday.

Lowell, who had surgery for testicular cancer in February 1999, underwent two days of tests to assess the injury, which has bothered him for several weeks. The Marlins said that the tests included an MRI, a bone scan, a CT scan and bloodwork, and doctors determined Saturday that the injury was a strained groin.

Lowell is awaiting one final lab result before being cleared to rejoin the lineup, the team said.

“It’s great news,” teammate Derrek Lee said. “It was getting a little nervous with him not here for two days.”

Lowell began the weekend tied for third in the major leagues with 28 home runs. He is batting .275 with 76 RBIs.

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Yankee first baseman-designated hitter Nick Johnson, out since May 15 with a stress fracture in his right hand, will begin a rehab stint Monday with double-A Trenton. He was leading the American League in walks and on-base percentage at the time of the injury.

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Former major league manager Davey Johnson led the Dutch national baseball team to its 18th European Championship with a 2-0 victory over Greece at Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Johnson agreed to manage the Dutch team temporarily after coach Robert Eenhoorn resigned following the death of his 6-year-old son from cancer.