Boston Red Sox Mike Lowell is currently on the 15-day disabled list for a right hip injury. He is scheduled to come off the DL this weekend, but manager Terry Francona doesn’t know if he will be ready to do that.

“He’s not ready to do that,” Francona said. “If that was going to be that quick, he’d be here with us now.”

Lowell has been given permission to be away from the team while the Sox are in Tampa Bay to take on the Rays.

Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal wonders if Lowell may be pondering retirement. Lowell has had his playing time significantly reduced with the addition of Adrian Beltre at third base. The Sox have been trying to trade Lowell, but have yet to have any takers.

MacPherson notes that if Lowell retires he would leave more than $5 million on the table. He adds that Lowell would like to contribute in the playoffs which would give him a chance to end a frustrating season on a high note.