Mike Lowell went 2 for 4 in his first game back from the disabled list.

AP photo / The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese

TORONTO –– The last time Mike Lowell felt this good was May 2008.

It was before the Sox’ veteran third baseman began to have issues with his right hip, and months before he would need surgery to repair a torn labrum. Even after the procedure last November, his rehab was slow, but he showed no ill effects once the regular season started.

He played 68 games in the first half and posted a .282 average with 10 homers and 41 RBI, but he began to feel discomfort and was forced to the disabled list on June 28. Lowell was activated Friday, and said he’s feeling great and is happy with the stability in his hip.

He went 2-for-4 Friday night and said afterward that he felt good. Red Sox manager Terry Francona concurred.

"I thought he did very well," said Francona. "He swung the bat good and he felt good. It's nice to have him back."

“I’m just really excited,” he said. “I feel good. This will be a nice first test on the turf [at Rogers Centre].”

Lowell feels the biggest difference with his stride when he’s running, and doesn’t believe his offense or defense has been affected.

“I want a good second half and into the postseason,” he said. “The goal is to try to maintain this and keep it at this level as long as I can.”

His hip began to give him problems in June 2008, but he was able to grind through it until the pain was too much to handle during the first round of the ALDS against the Angels, forcing him off the postseason roster and onto the surgery table.

“We’re thrilled to have Mike back,” said Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, who made the trip here. “He’s feeling good about himself and looks healthy.”

Having more days off is in the plans for Lowell during the second half of the season, which is welcomed by both the player and the club.

“We’re going to sit down this weekend to map things out,” said Lowell. “I’m sure we’re going to address that, and hopefully we’ll get something that will be beneficial to the team and for my hip.”

The Red Sox will have options once Jed Lowrie is activated from the disabled list on Saturday. Both he and Nick Green can play shortstop or third base. Plus, Kevin Youkilis can move from first to third, with Mark Kotsay available to play first.

Prior to his trip to the DL, Lowell received a Synvisc injection into the hip joint and also had fluid removed from the area. He said the injection worked, and is hopeful that he won’t need another one.

“I can do it again, but you don’t want to get to a point where you’re relying on it,” he said. “I know we kind of have it on the back burner, but the goal is to not let it get to a point where it gets so locked up with fluid that something like this needs to be done.”

Lowrie’s rehab ends

Lowrie will return after a long rehab from wrist surgery.

The 25-year-old played with a fracture in his left wrist for most of the 2008 season and decided not to have surgery during the offseason in favor of rehab. He arrived at camp this spring in great shape and feeling good. He was hitting well and was solid defensively, and was the favorite to win the starting shortstop job over Julio Lugo.

Toward the end of spring training and during the first week of the regular season, Lowrie’s wrist began to bother him again and he was placed on the DL on April 12 and ended up having surgery.

His rehab went smoothly and he was originally scheduled to return prior to the All-Star break, but he was hit on the back of the knee with a pitch during a minor-league game with the PawSox, setting him back a couple of weeks.

After he returns on Saturday, Francona said, Lowrie won’t play every day because he’s not ready to do so. Plus, Green has been playing well for the Sox this season while Lowrie has been out and Lugo struggling.

The plan for Bailey

Rehabbing utility man Jeff Bailey is on the disabled list with a high-ankle sprain, but he’s feeling better and has been able to do some baseball activities, including fielding ground balls.

The club won’t rush him, and once he’s able to return to action he’ll be sent back to Pawtucket. Bailey was placed on the DL on July 6 after suffering the injury during a collision at first base in a game against Seattle.

Baldelli in center

Jacoby Ellsbury was originally penciled into Friday's staring lineup against the Blue Jays, but was a last-minute scratch due to "intestinal turmoil," Francona.

"[Jacoby] didn't feel too good," said Francona. "He looked pretty bad. He wanted to play and we kind of gave him the chance to recover, but it looked like it was going the other way."

Rocco Baldelli started in center field and batted eighth for the Sox.

jmcdonal@projo.com