BOSTON (AP) " Third baseman Mike Lowell was removed from Boston's division series roster on Monday because of a right hip strain.
He would be ineligible to play in the AL championship series if the Red Sox advance past their first-round opponent, the Los Angeles Angels.
Last year's World Series MVP, Lowell also has a torn labrum in his right hip. He was replaced on the active roster by infielder Gil Velazquez, who made his major league debut on Sept. 25.
Lowell was 0-for-8 in two games during the series against the Angels.
The Red Sox led the series 2-1 after the Angels won 5-4 win in 12 innings Sunday night. Lowell walked in the 10th inning and Alex Cora pinch ran for him.
"He's hurting today," Boston manager Terry Francona said before the roster move was announced. "When he finally did get on base, we ran for him just because if there was a grounder in the hole and he can't get to second, that puts him in an unfair position."
Kevin Youkilis moved from first base to Lowell's regular spot at third base and Mark Kotsay played first on Monday night. J.D. Drew, who hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in Boston's 7-5 win in Game 2, returned in right field after not starting Sunday because of a bad back.
"Sometimes the best thing to do is try to be a little patient," Francona said before the decision was made to replace Lowell. "If you can afford the patience, maybe your patience is rewarded. Now, again, we need to listen to what the doctors have to say."
Lowell's hip injury limited him to one at-bat in Boston's last 11 regular-season games.
He went 0-for-4 as Boston won the opener 4-1, sat out the second game and went 0-for-4 in the third game.
"His ability to try to play through a bunch of pain is remarkable," Francona said, "but I think we all kind of saw it was difficult for him last night. "
Velazquez spent the past 10 seasons and most of this season in the minors before being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. He was 1-for-8 in three games with Boston.
The Angels made one lineup change from Game 2. Mike Napoli moved up from seventh to sixth after hitting two homers and scoring the decisive run. Juan Rivera was dropped from sixth to seventh after going 0-for-3.
"Mike really turned it on the last month of the season," manager Mike Scioscia said.