Update 12/31 15:36: Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports today that the Red Sox may revisit the idea of trading Lowell to the Rangers.  This is all pending that Lowell can prove that his thumb is healthy.  The rehabilitation process will take 6-8 weeks which will align him with the start of Spring Training.

12/30 17:57: According to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe, a 95-percent tear in the radial collateral ligament was found in Mike Lowell’s thumb when Dr. Donald Sheridan operated on him today.

Lowell will need 6-8 weeks of recovery which will allow him to resume his baseball activities during Spring Training.  He’s probably off the trading block for now since no team will want to risk receiving damage goods. It’s possible that if Lowell recovers well and performs at the beginning part of the 2010 season he may be trade bait by the July deadline.

Lowell was originally going to be traded to the Texas Rangers, but was called off after doctors discovered the ligament tear in his thumb.  Lowell is in his last year of a three-year contract.  He’s expected to make $12 million.  You can see Lowell’s contract history and statistics here.