BOSTON -- The long-anticipated return of J.D. Drew occurred on Wednesday, as Red Sox manager Terry Francona was able to slot the right fielder into his lineup for the first time since Aug. 17.
Drew has had a tough time getting rid of lower back spasms, and also has a herniated disc.
But the latest epidural Drew took on Monday finally seemed to alleviate the pain enough that he was able to give it a go Wednesday.
Drew grounded out in his first at-bat and singled to right in the third before exiting for a pinch-runner in the Red Sox's 5-4 victory over the Indians.
"It was an eventful night," said Drew. "It went pretty well. I got a little bit stiff, and the legs got a little wobbly after not running around like that for a while. But all in all it went pretty well.[Francona] told me before I was only going to get two at-bats, which actually worked pretty well, because I ran around the outfield a little bit and got on base and had to sprint a few times. I could tell I hadn't done it in a while."
Drew will likely serve as the designated hitter on Thursday night, with David Ortiz getting a night off.
"I'm still fighting off that injury a little bit," said Drew. "I felt it before the game started, felt it yesterday but I felt like I could start to play through it a little bit. Hopefully I'll bounce back a little bit day after day so I can keep playing."
Drew batted fifth in Francona's lineup, while Mark Kotsay moved to first base.
Chris Carter made his first career start, playing left field, while Jason Bay got a breather. Slumping shortstop Jed Lowrie was replaced by Alex Cora.
Now that the Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot, Francona can be more mindful of getting players rest.
The Red Sox are hanging by a thread in the race for the American League East. They'd have to win their final four games and have the Rays lose their final four.
"We're not going to lose sight of the big picture this last five games. I think it would be a mistake," Francona said. "Because of where we are, we try to look at it realistically and understand that there are bigger goals and do the best you can trying to do both."
With that in mind, Francona would like to get third baseman Mike Lowell (partially torn labrum in his right hip) in there before the end of the regular season, but won't force the issue.
"I think we all feel like, if you have the ability to get at-bats, it will only help," Francona said. "Last time he proved that didn't matter. Now, it's really not necessary. Maybe for his [confidence], so he knows he can go out there and do it, that would be one thing. Also just to see live pitching. There's going to be a lull in the action anyway, after Sunday. But we'll do the best we can.
"Sending him out there hurt would be a mistake. We'll just do what we think is best. He is improving. I think he thinks he's going to be OK. For the sake of him getting four or five at-bats, I'd hate to hurt him on a Saturday or a Sunday, then lose him for the playoffs."
Getting Drew back could be a nice boost for the Red Sox. Before the injury derailed a good part of his season, Drew was batting .280 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs.
"We'll keep checking with him," Francona said. "The idea is to get him some at-bats and hopefully have him not go backwards health-wise. We'll try to balance that. He seemed to really think it helped, which is why they did it, and we're glad."
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