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Mike Lowell, the World Series MVP last fall, will have surgery on his left hip on Monday in New York, but is expected to be ready for spring training.

BOSTON — The inevitable became official Tuesday when the Boston Red Sox announced Mike Lowell's season was over.

Lowell will have surgery on his injured left hip Monday in New York.

"There was no way he was going to play," Boston Manager Terry Francona said.

Lowell, 34, the 2007 World Series MVP, is suffering from a torn labrum, which protects the hip socket.

Lowell has tried to play through the pain, but had only one at-bat in the final two weeks of the season.

Lowell played Games 1 and 3 of the American League division series against the Angels. But Lowell had to leave Game 3, and Boston took him off the roster the next day.

Lowell had said he would need to have surgery after the season, but then saw no reason to wait.

"He wants to have it done now so he can come to spring training ready," Francona said. As for the recovery time, "some of it depends on how aggressive they have to be when they go in ... talking to the doctors, they expect him to be ready for spring training."

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Among Kelly's positions is assistant team physician for the New York Giants.

TIM WAKEFIELD has 178 wins and a 4.32 career ERA over the regular season. In the postseason, Wakefield is not so dependable. He has not won a playoff game since Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, when he came on in relief. And after Tuesday's game, Wakefield's postseason ERA is now 6.75.

JACOBY ELLSBURY was removed from the lineup after going hitless in his last 20 at-bats.

Ellsbury's strength is hitting grounders and using his speed to reach base. But Ellsbury has not been coming around on his pitches and is flying out.

"It seems like the ball is getting deep on him," Francona said.

"Because of his legs, there are times he can get a hit using the whole field. ... (Instead) the ball is getting in the air a lot. It's been tough for him."

B.J. UPTON HIT only nine home runs during the season, but has hit five in the postseason, entering Tuesday's game.

Upton battled through the year with a sore, weak shoulder.

"I think his shoulder is feeling better," Rays Manager Joe Maddon said.

TROT NIXON threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday, receiving an expected loud, standing ovation. Nixon, 34, was the Red Sox first-round draft pick in 1993 and made the majors for good in 1999. He played with Boston through 2006.

The Red Sox did not re-sign Nixon and he played in Cleveland last year. This season, Nixon played mostly in the minors. He got into 11 games with the New York Mets, batting .171 (6 for 35).

MONDAY'S GAME was a lock for the Rays, based on Boston playoff history. When a series is tied 1-1, the Red Sox have lost their last seven Game 3's.

The last time Boston won a Game 3 to take a 2-1 edge in a series was the 1946 World Series against St. Louis. The Cardinals came back to win the series.

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

kthomas@pressherald.com