Lowell Avoids Trade Talk, Works at First

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox corner infielder Mike Lowell, plagued before by an arthritic hip and a balky thumb, said he's not bothered by either anymore.

Check back after the games pile up.

"The biggest physical test for me is going to be the running," Lowell said shortly after pulling a 380-foot home run in a minor league game on Friday.

A longtime starter at third base, Lowell could be traded because Boston signed Adrian Beltre to play third. Lowell was nearly dealt to the Rangers, but Texas reportedly pulled out, citing concerns because of a thumb injury.

Lowell said the thumb is "structurally fine." A recent test came when Lowell was jammed by a pitch from Rays pitcher Wade Davis. "That was good for me," he said.

He termed the durability of his arthritic right hip "a big question."

After going 2-for-4 with a walk as a designated hitter on Friday, Lowell met with reporters for only the second time since spring camp opened. He declined to indulge trade talk. He said he's pleased with his progress at first base, where his development could make him more valuable as a utility man.

"First is pretty comfortable," he said.

Like former Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who moved to first late in his career, he admits to a phobia about forgetting to cover first base.

"I had a recurring dream that I wasn't covering first on a groundball," he said. "I was [yelling], 'Cover first, cover first, cover first... ' "