Lugo undergoes successful right knee surgery

The Red Sox have announced that shortstop Julio Lugo has undergone successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The procedure was performed in Boston by team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill. Lugo, who put together .268/.355/.330 numbers last season before suffering a season-ending quadriceps injury in July, had been competing with Jed Lowrie for the starting shortstop job this spring. With Lugo expected to be out three to four weeks, Lowrie now seems likely to be in Boston's starting lineup on opening day against Tampa Bay.

To replace Lugo on the active roster, the Red Sox will likely choose between a number of veteran non-roster invitees currently in major league camp. Nick Green, who was signed to a minor league deal earlier this off season, is the leading candidate, having put up impressive .353/.436/.588 numbers with 2 doubles and 2 home runs in 34 at bats so far this spring. Other possibilities include Gil Velazquez, who was a September call up last year after spending most of the season at Pawtucket, Angel Chavez, and Ivan Ochoa, both of whom were signed to minor league deals this off season.

Tweet