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Mike Lowell is ineligible for the ALCS and likely won’t be able to rejoin the Sox even if they reach the World Series.

As Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell struggled both in the field and at the plate Sunday night in Game 3 of the American League division series against the Los Angeles Angels, it became apparent that his injured right hip is bothering him more and more.

It was no longer a case of Lowell playing through the pain.

He cannot play, period. The Red Sox removed him from the active roster before Game 4 Monday and replaced him with utility infielder Gil Velazquez.

"Nobody questions his toughness. I mean, nobody," Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said before the decision was announced.

"He's really sore. He came in (Monday) pretty beat up. It's just getting difficult for him to be a baseball player right now. He can't move."

Because Lowell was removed from the roster in the middle of the series, he is ineligible for the American League Championship Series.

Lowell would be eligible if the Red Sox make it to the World Series. But the seriousness of his injury makes his availability unlikely.

Lowell was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in his right hip last month. He said then that he would need surgery in the off-season, but he planned to play until then.

The labrum is cartilage that provides a cushion in the socket joint of the hipbone. Movement, especially lateral movement, has been painful for Lowell.

Francona said the length of Sunday night's game didn't help.

It was a "long game," said Francona. "Cold. He had to dive to his right. He had to dive to his left. That definitely aggravated it."

Lowell played Games 1 and 3 and was 0 for 8.

Velazquez, 28, is a career minor leaguer who signed as a free agent with the Red Sox before the season. He spent the year in Triple-A Pawtucket, batting .260 with 10 home runs. He was called up Sept. 25 and made his major league debut that night.

WITH JUSTIN Masterson, will the Red Sox be facing a "Joba Chamberlain decision" next season?

Chamberlain is the New York Yankees pitcher who has shined out of the bullpen but also has been used as a starter. The organization seems split on where to put him.

Masterson moved up the Red Sox system as a starter, including stops in Portland this year and last year.

But since late July, Masterson has become one of the key set-up relievers for the Red Sox.

"I think it's going to be interesting to see where he goes," Francona said. "We really don't know. He'll impact us either way."

Masterson had one of his most impressive outings for the Red Sox on Sunday night. He entered in the eighth inning with two outs, a runner on and Vladimir Guerrero at bat.

When Masterson started a game against the Angels in April, he was instructed to pitch around Guerrero, and he walked him twice.

This time, Masterson went at him. On a full count, Guerrero fouled off a sinker. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Masterson blew a fastball by Guerrero. The Fenway radar gun registered it at 96 mph.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com