After getting the results of an MRI exam, the Red Sox decided to place Mike Lowell on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb.

Lowell injured the thumb Wednesday night diving for a ball hit by Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez in the first inning.

Infielder Jed Lowrie was brought up from Pawtucket to replace Lowell on the roster.

For those thinking about the Yankees series this weekend at Fenway, New York has a couple of players banged up, too. SS Derek Jeter's strained quad is bad enough that New York called up SS Alberto Rodriguez on Wednesday. C Jorge Posada has been hindered with a sore right arm.

- ALAN GREENWOOD