Mike Lowell takes part in fielding practice before Friday night's game at Fenway Park.

AP photo / Charles Krupa

BOSTON –– Mike Lowell took batting practice on Friday for the first time since he was put on the disabled list Monday, and he said that he ran better on his surgically repaired hip than at any point in the season so far.

Lowell’s bat had noticeable pop to it –– he cranked numerous balls off the lower half of the Green Monster.

More importantly, he felt good when running –– perhaps the best he’s felt this season. The week of rest has done him a lot of good.

“I think this was the best I’ve felt running all year, so those were all really good signs, and the fact that I have another week to really improve on this was really encouraging to me,” Lowell said.

The Sox third baseman underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip in the offseason, and worked himself back into shape just in time to start the season. He played nearly every game over the first third of the season, then started to wear down as Boston came into the halfway point. He woke up one morning in pain, and felt worse thereafter. He was placed on the disabled list Monday, and Aaron Bates was recalled from Pawtucket to take his place.

The rest has relieved Lowell of the feelings of pain and weakness in the hip.

“Yesterday was the most encouraging day in a long time for him,” manager Terry Francona said Friday. “It didn’t hurt. He did everything, it was pain free. He was really excited about it.”

After his success in the hitting and running drills Friday, the past two days represent the best Lowell has felt in some time.

“Definitely better than the spring. I’d say better than April. I’d say from a movement, flexibility standpoint, I’m at the best I’ve been," Lowell said.

The way his body is responding, Lowell fully expects to return when he is eligible: the Friday following the All-Star break.

“I would hope so. I’ve still got to do it tomorrow and the next day to see how I react, but I’m not anticipating any setbacks at this point,” Lowell said.

That said, Lowell may return to action under a different set of rules. Lowell had been communicating regularly with team staff, and Francona was vigilant about checking in with his 35-year-old third baseman. But a more structured schedule of rest is likely.

“I don’t think I’m going to play 60 in a row. Probably day games after night games will be the ones that are closely monitored,” Lowell said.

When he returns, he wants to keep his body going full-speed –– except for one area.

“I might slow down trying to steal some bags. I have zero this year, so I’m not going to have to slow down a lot,” joked the glacially slow Lowell.

So what does he project as his final stolen-base total?

“One. Yeah, one would be good.”

Kottaras at third?

Backup catcher George Kottaras has been taking ground balls at third base lately, ensuring that in the emergency to end all emergencies, he fill in at that position if needed.

In a lengthy game during an injury-marred stretch earlier this year, Francona almost needed a player to man the shortstop position. His two options were outfielder Rocco Baldelli and Kottaras. He asked Kottaras if he could play short. Kottaras looked back, wide-eyed.

The team was equally light on infielders earlier this week, with Dustin Pedroia and Julio Lugo both gone from the team for personal reasons. If Kottaras is forced into emergency infield action at any point this year, Francona wants to make sure he has a decent foundation.

“It isn’t something we would do to pinch run and try to win the game. Just, we had gotten a little thin a few days ago,” Francona said.

“Just make sure that if the worst ever happened, we would put somebody out there, at least he had taken some grounders,” Francona added.

Baldelli has also been taking ground balls at first base this week.

Ellsbury ejected

It looked like Jacoby Ellsbury had made a flashy heads-up play, and snuck in safely at home while Mark Kotsay was distracting the Royals in a rundown between first and second.

Home plate umpire Derryl Cousins didn’t agree.

Cousins called Ellsbury out at home, maintaining that Royals catcher Miguel Olivo had successfully made the tag on a sliding Ellsbury.

Ellsbury leapt up and launched his helmet into the ground, yelling something at Cousins. Cousins immediately ejected the Boston centerfielder.

Ellsbury had been on third base, and Kotsay at first, with one out and Nick Green at the plate in the fifth inning of a scoreless game. Pitcher Brian Bannister threw a ball into the dirt, and Kotsay took off for second as Olivo mishandled the ball. But Olivo quickly corralled it, and Kotsay was soon caught in a rundown.

The swift Ellsbury took advantage of the chance and tore home, seemingly sliding in under Olivo’s tag. But Cousins didn’t see it that way, calling Ellsbury out at home and leading to the ejection.

Manager Terry Francona came out of the dugout and argued vehemently on Ellsbury’s behalf, to no avail. He at least managed to make his point without being tossed from the game, avoiding his third ejection of the season. Ellsbury joins Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, hitting coach Dave Magadan and Francona on the list of Sox personnel ejected this season.

Baldelli took over in centerfield.

Portsmouth kids get a treat

Players from the Portsmouth Challenger Little League team must have had the thrill of a lifetime Friday at Fenway Park.

The team spent the afternoon working out with Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan, before having lunch with Wally the Green Monster and getting a VIP tour of the park.

During Red Sox batting practice, the Portsmouth team stood behind the cage and spent a few minutes getting autographs from Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and David Ortiz.

jmcdonal@projo.com