The initial report was that Buchholz had a muscle strain. But now the club is concerned that the injury could require surgery. Watkins is one of the nation’s top doctors at treating disk problems.
Come Monday, the Sox should know for sure what Buchholz is dealing with.
“Until then we’re obviously on hold,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “Then we’ll hopefully have a lot more [information] and go from there.’’
With Buchholz out of the rotation, the Red Sox lack a strong No. 3 starter behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. At the moment, the top two choices for the third game of a playoff series would be John Lackey or Tim Wakefield.
The Sox had scouts in Seattle last night to watch Erik Bedard pitch for the Mariners. They could not have been impressed.
Bedard lasted only 1 ⅓ innings against the Rays, allowing five runs on three hits and four walks in his return from the disabled list. Bedard, who had been out with a strained left knee, threw 26 of his 57 pitches for strikes.
The Sox also have interest in Seattle’s Jason Vargas, who starts tomorrow. They also are talking with the Rockies about their ace, Ubaldo Jimenez.
Gonzalez sits out First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was taken out of the lineup an hour before last night’s 3-1 loss to the White Sox because of a stiff neck. He sat out July 6 against Toronto for the same reason.
Kevin Youkilis shifted to first base with Drew Sutton playing third.
Lowrie getting close Jed Lowrie, on the disabled list since June 17 because of weakness in his left shoulder, has been taking batting practice and will start a rehab assignment with Triple A Pawtucket Monday.
“He’s doing really well,’’ Francona said.
Lowrie is scheduled to play for the PawSox Monday and Tuesday, work out with the major league team Wednesday, and rejoin Pawtucket for games Thursday and Friday. Lowrie would be evaluated at that point to determine whether he needs more minor league games.
Lowrie batted .270 with three home runs and 25 RBIs before landing on the DL. He was one of the team’s best hitters early in the season. “We want to get him back to swinging like he was. That would be a huge lift for us,’’ Francona said.
