David Ortiz is back in the Red Sox lineup.

The Red Sox star went hitless in his return last night as the designated hitter, batting third against the Blue Jays after taking the weekend off to clear his head and try to snap out of his slump. Ortiz went 0 for 3 with a walk and saw his batting average drop to .203.

The slugger who hit 54 homers in 2006 has not homered in 147 at-bats dating to September -- the longest slump of his career.

"The greatest thing in the world is if he gets four hits tonight," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before the game. "If it doesn't happen, it's our responsibility to not lose patience when everyone is screaming to lose patience."

The 33-year-old, a five-time All-Star, hit 112 home runs from 2006-08 but has not hit one since Sept. 22. The homerless slump now tops a 145-game skid when he was coming up with the Minnesota Twins from 1998-2000.

San Francisco left-hander Noah Lowry was scheduled to undergo surgery yesterday to remove the first rib on his left side, due to symptoms from thoracic outlet syndrome. The surgery to correct the circulatory problem was to be performed by Dr. Greg Pearl, a vascular surgeon at the Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.

St. Louis hopes to activate center fielder Rick Ankiel from the 15-day disabled list today, but first he'll have to show them he's ready. Ankiel bruised his right shoulder when he crashed headfirst into an outfield wall and has been playing in extended spring training. Manager Tony La Russa needs Ankiel back to bolster his sagging team, but said he wanted to see him on the field first.

Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez has a herniated disk and could be facing career-ending surgery if he injuries his back again. Chavez, rehabbing in Arizona, was moved from the 15- to 60-day disabled list. He experienced back spasms May 10 and underwent an MRI one day later.

Minnesota outfielder Delmon Young will be out until at least Friday after his mother passed away from cancer. Young left the Twins Friday before the start of a four-game series at the New York Yankees to attend to his mother, Bonnie, and was placed on the family medical emergency list.