Report: Lowell needs surgery, trade to Texas is off

Report: Lowell needs surgery, trade to Texas is off

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox third baseman reportedly needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, and the previously reported trade that would send him to Texas has now been called off.

According to the Boston Globe, Lowell will have surgery after Christmas and is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks. He should be ready in time for spring training.

The trade was expected to send Texas catcher Max Ramirez to Boston.

Lowell is entering the final season of a three-year, $37.5 million contract in which he will make $12 million in 2010.

The 35-year-old Lowell, a four-time All-Star and the 2007 World Series MVP, batted .290 with 17 homers and 75 RBI in 119 games last season. He was out for 2 1/2 weeks in the middle of the season with a hip injury.

Over the course of his career, with the Yankees (1998), Marlins (1999-2005) and Red Sox (2006-09), Lowell has hit .280 with 218 homers and 926 RBI. He won a Gold Glove at third base in 2005.

The 25-year-old Ramirez was acquired by the Rangers from Cleveland in the deal that sent Kenny Lofton back to the Indians in July 2007. Ramirez played in just 17 games in 2008 with the Rangers and spent most of 2009 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .234 with five homers and 43 RBI in 76 games for the RedHawks.