J. Lowe (oblique tightness) scratched, but Rays hopeful he can avoid IL

SAN FRANCISCO – Having learned the hard way earlier this season what it’s like to injure your oblique -- on Opening Day, no less -- Rays outfielder Josh Lowe plans to take it easy while working his way back from another injury.

By doing so the Rays believe they can avoid having to put Lowe on the injured list.

“I’m hopeful that he’s not [IL-bound],” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “[He] won’t be in there tomorrow to start. We’ll see how he wakes up tomorrow morning. Get tomorrow off, the off-day [Monday] and see what we’ve got.”

Lowe was taking batting practice in the cage under the stands at Oracle Park prior to the Rays’ 2-1 win when he felt a twinge in his right side. Rather than try to play through the pain, like he did in March, Lowe talked to Cash before the game and the two decided it was best to take him out of the lineup and give him a break.

“Nothing that I’m too concerned about,” Lowe said. “When it’s happened before, it’s tightened up later in the day and it’s felt worse. But I haven’t felt [that] today so that’s a good sign.”

This time around, Lowe said he has no plans to rush back and will be more patient.

“Hopefully I wake up in the morning feeling the same, feeling good and then move around tomorrow just to make sure I’m progressing the right way and I‘m back in action next week,” Lowe said. “It’s something I feel like I got in front of.”