Boston’s J.D. Drew is tagged out by Kansas City shortstop Mike Aviles after being caught in a rundown between second and third in the first inning.

AP / ED ZURGA

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite feeling a “clicking” in his left wrist Monday night, David Ortiz served as the Red Sox’ DH last night and maintained that he can play through the soreness he’s feeling.

Ortiz missed all of June and most of July, sidelined with a torn sheath covering a tendon in his wrist. He heard the click in his ninth-inning at-bat during the Sox’ 4-3 loss to the Royals in the series opener.

“I’m all right,” said Ortiz. “I’ve been dealing with this, up and down. But I’ll be all right. It’s been affecting me for two months. I’ve got to deal with it for the rest of the season. But I feel fine today.”

Aside from some discomfort, the issue may be more mental for Ortiz.

“It gets in your head,” he said. “(You start thinking) ‘Should I not swing?’ But that’s something that’s hard to control. The doctor warned me it’s going to be like that until I don’t play for a few months.”

Ortiz said he has felt the clicking “a few times” since returning to the lineup on July 25, “but not like it felt [Monday] night.”

Manager Terry Francona said the Sox weren’t too concerned.

“Like we said all along,” Francona noted, “we knew that was going to happen. I’d say reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. I told him to make sure to tell me (if he needs to rest).”

Francona, too, said Monday night was probably more of a mental hurdle that Ortiz had to clear.

“Maybe this will be good,” he said, noting that Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell dealt with the same uncertainty after a similar injury. “Maybe it’s a good step.”

Lowell in lineup

Mike Lowell was back in the lineup last night, a day after receiving an injection to help him with some discomfort in his right hip.

Lowell joined the team here Monday night. He got a shot of an undisclosed lubricant that is supposed to help ease the pain in the hip. That came three weeks after he received a cortisone shot at the All-Star break.

He also has been taking anti-inflammatory medication for several weeks.

“I think it feels better,” said Lowell. “They told me it would take three or four days for the medicine from the shot to take effect. But just getting out of bed and moving around, it feels better.”

Lowell has been told this his hip condition is genetic, worsened by the presence of some bone spurs. The condition likely won’t fully improve until the offseason, when he has a chance to rest.

It worsened Friday night when he attempted to beat out an infield grounder.

“When I have to extend myself,” he said, “the next day, I feel it.”

Francona gave Lowell the option is sitting out last night, but he chose to play.

“I’ve played with it for a while,” he said, “so I’m not going to sit now.”

Drew leads off

For the second straight night, J.D. Drew was in the leadoff spot for the Sox.

“I’m trying to get the lineup as elongated I can,” said Francona, “so it’s got some depth. I don’t want him to hit first the whole year. But in the meantime, he gives us the best chance to win. I’m not trying to shake things up. I’m just getting some balance in there and trying to get the most guys on base when the middle of the order is up.”

Drew went into last night with a .403 on-base percentage, highest among club regulars.

Around the bases

David Aardsma, who pitched an inning for the PawSox last night, will probably join the Sox Friday in Chicago. Chris Smith will probably be returned to Triple A to make room. … Kevin Youkilis extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a first-inning RBI single. … Heading into last night, the Sox had lost their last 15 one-run games on the road, a club record. Prior to that run, the worst stretch in team history stretched from 1988 through 1989, when they lost 14 consecutive one-run decisions away from home. … Kansas City manager Trey Hillman last night served a one-game suspension stemming from a brawl with the Chicago White Sox. Bench coach Dave Owen managed the Royals. … Francona said Bartolo Colon, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning in his first rehab start for Pawtucket, will likely need a minimum of four starts before he’s ready to come back. Given that timetable, Francona said it’s possible the Sox might wait until rosters expand on Sept. 1 to add Colon to the major-league staff.

smcadam@projo.com