The grand slam he hit left-handed in the final regular-season game only helped his status. Lowrie reported ``nothing unusual'' about the wrist, but the team still took an extra step to cover all the bases.

With Chris Woodward on an extended paternity leave in Tampa and Nick Green's ``dead leg'' still not better, the Sox asked infielder Gil Velazquez to leave his Mexican Winter League team and join the team for standby duty.

``It was a shock. I didn't expect this,'' said Velazquez, who said he was not asked to stay in Baseball shape or play winter ball after his season ended at Triple-A Pawtucket. ``I was down in Mexico and I was pretty focused on trying to make the club down there. Saturday I went to visit my wife (in LA) and it was a complete shock.''

Green did not seem optimistic that he will play again this season.

``As of right now, I don't think I'm going to be able to,'' he said. ``If I were to go out there today and all of a sudden do stuff game-speed, I don't know. But that's out of my hands. What I'm concentrating on now is getting back to game speed.''

Another issue is the extra outfielder, as Rocco Baldelli's strained left hip flexor is a major concern. The club values Baldelli's bat against left-handed pitching (.290 this season) and will wait until the final hour to decide if he can play, especially with the Angels starting two lefties, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders, in Games 3 and 4 at Fenway.

``He's still pretty tender,'' Francona said. ``I think we plan on taking the full allotment of time just to see if he's OK.''

The manager didn't say how many pitchers he will carry, though the team has used 10 in past ALDS. Paul Byrd, Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez are vying for a spot.

Tomorrow it is

As expected, the Yankees announced that regardless of their opponent, they would take Schedule A, with Game 1 tonight and Game 2 Friday. That means the Sox will be on Schedule B, with games scheduled at 9:37 tomorrow night and Friday in Anaheim. Game 3 is set for Sunday at 12:07 p.m. at Fenway.

``I think we thought we would do this all along,'' Francona said. ``It doesn't really change anything.''

Lowell ready

Third baseman Mike Lowell, beset by a sprained right thumb the final two days of the regular season, said the problem is behind him.

``I'm a prime-time lean machine right now. Write that one,'' Lowell said. ``Everything's fine and we're ready to go.'' . . .

The Angels will start Howie Kendrick instead of Maicer Izturis at second base tomorrow night. Their probable lineup is Chone Figgins at third base, Bobby Abreu in right, Torii Hunter in center, Vladimir Guerrero DH, Juan Rivera in left, Kendry Morales at first base, Kendrick, Willy Aybar at shortstop and Jeff Mathis catching. . . .

The Sox have left open the possibility of using Game 1 starter Jon Lester in Game 4, if necessary. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Game 1 starter John Lackey would not be asked to pitch Game 4, although he reserved the right to change his mind.

Wagner likes Pap

Billy Wagner said it has not been hard to be impressed with the results of Jonathan Papelbon.

``When you go out there and you've pitched that many (postseason games) and been that dominant, his legacy and stuff is being built,'' Wagner said. ``He's done a great job.''

Read the Clubhouse Insider at bostonherald.com.