WASHINGTON — Julio Lugo stays to himself these days.

The one-time starting shortstop for the World Series champions is now the backup to Nick Green, the last player the Red Sox invited to spring training as a non-roster guy. Green has dazzled in the field with his glove and has come up with timely hits.

All Lugo can do is watch.

Wednesday night's pinch-hitting appearance — he struck out in the seventh inning while hitting for Jon Lester — was his first game action since June 14 at Philadelphia, a span of eight games. Meanwhile, he's been taking extra batting practice in the cage and has been getting extra fungos at shortstop.

This is new territory for the man who is making $9 million a season through 2010 with a vesting option for 2011.

"It's difficult for me because I'm the type of guy who likes to play," he said from the visitor's clubhouse at Nationals Park Wednesday afternoon. "I want to play. I don't want to be on the bench. I'm not ready to do that yet."

When position players arrived at camp in Fort Myers, the only question surrounding the Red Sox was who the starting shortstop would be in 2009. Both Lugo and Jed Lowrie were playing well enough during the spring to make management's decision a difficult one, but once Lugo suffered a knee injury and needed surgery, the job was Lowrie's.

Then Lowrie got hurt, and when Lugo was healthy enough to play he returned to the lineup. But his defense was so erratic that the Sox turned to Green.

Lugo — who says he's healthy and ready to play — had said in spring training that he'd ask for a trade if he wasn't the starter. He's yet to repeat the request, though he didn't seem to rule it out.

"I'm here right now and that's all I can worry about," he said. "Some things I can't control. I don't make my own decisions here. But we'll see what happens. I've always been a starter everywhere I've been."

It's hard to argue with Green's play. The Red Sox are 32-11 with him starting at short, 10-13 with Lugo. But even though Lugo isn't happy about his current role on the bench, he has no ill-will towards Green.

"I'm happy for him," Lugo said. "I'm very happy he's playing well, but that doesn't take away from who I am. I haven't been a shortstop in the big leagues for 10 years because one day I woke up and got two hits. I've been here because I have a history of playing and playing well. That's why I've got 10 years in the big leagues. But I'm very happy for him."

Lugo joined the Sox in 2007 and had a difficult year offensively, but was solid defensively and helped Boston win the World Series. Last year was the opposite — his offense was solid but his defense became shaky — and then he missed the second half of the season because of a torn leg muscle.

And now this.

"It's been okay, man," he said of his time in Boston. "It's been all right. I've won a World Series and I couldn't get that anywhere else but here. Sometimes you get put through tough times and people forget how much you bring for them. Of course I want to win another one. I want to win two more here. There's no doubt in my mind that I want to."

He says his communication with manager Terry Francona has been "okay."

"We talk, but there's not much you can say," Lugo said.

For now Lugo's playing the good solider. But if he remains on the bench as Green continues to play well, and with the return of Lowrie very close, Lugo may change his mind.

"I'm just going to let it play out and see what happens," he said. "I'm going to be ready. I'm an athlete and I want to stay in shape. When they tell me to play, I'll play. Right now I'm going to let it play out and see how it goes."

jmcdonal@projo.com