Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell took batting practice today for the first time since being sidelined April 10 with a sprained left thumb. Lowell felt great and looked great, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
Lowell is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday. He will likely rehab for two games in the minors. The Red Sox are 10-2 without Lowell in the lineup.
"I was waiting for him to kind of nurse the bat through the (hitting) zone," said Francona after watching Lowell take BP. "(But) he looked great."

-- Lineups for Red Sox-Angels game tonight:
Red Sox (14-7)
1. Ellsbury cf
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Ortiz dh
4. Ramirez lf
5. Youkilis 3b
6. Drew rf
7. Casey 1b
8.Cash c
9. Lugo ss
SP: David Pauley (0-0, 0.00)

-- Josh Beckett was scratched from this start with a stiff neck. Catcher Jason Varitek and reliever Manny Delcarmen are suffering from the flu and unavailable. The Red Sox just re-signed reliever Bryan Corey to a Pawtucket contract.

Angels (12-8)
1. Figgins 3b
2. Matthews dh
3. Guerrero rf
4. Anderson lf
5. Hunter cf
6. Kotchman 1b
7. Izturis 2b
8. Mathis c
9. Aybar ss
SP: Jered Weaver (1-3, 3.60)