BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox placed third baseman Mike Lowell on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip strain Tuesday.

Lowell had made starts in just two of the Red Sox last nine games and returned to Boston following Sunday’s game in Atlanta.

Lowell had fluid drained from his ailing right hip Monday in Boston, and received an injection of Synvisc, a gel-like substance that sometimes provides relief for inflamed tissue. The team hoped that would relieve inflammation in his surgically repaired joint.

"(Lowell) had 15 CCs of fluid taken out, which for a hip, I think, is pretty extensive," manager Terry Francona said.

The move to the disabled list was retroactive to June 28.

The third baseman underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip during the offseason.

Lowell is hitting .282 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs, but had not played since appearing as a pinch-hitter Saturday.

To replace Lowell on the roster, the team brought up first baseman and outfielder Jeff Bailey from Triple-A Pawtucket.