ortiz

BOSTON — It will be a big game tonight, another Red Sox-Yankee extravaganza with a national TV audience tuned in for the latest installment of baseball’s greatest rivalry.

And the odds are good that Boston slugger David Ortiz will be watching the game, too — from the Red Sox bench.

Boston manager Terry Francona intimated after yesterday’s 4-3 victory over New York that the badly slumping designated hitter might get a mental-health day off from the starting lineup when the teams meet tonight in the rubber game of the three-game series.

Ortiz has only 3 hits in 43 at-bats this season after a weak 0-for-4 performance yesterday. That plunged his average to .070, the worst of any regular in the majors. He is in an 0-for-17 funk, his longest hitless streak since an 0-for-17 Aug. 16-21, 2004.

It’s not just that he hasn’t gotten any hits. Ortiz, who had off-season surgery to clean up damage in his right knee, has looked awful at the plate.

Yesterday, the Sox had Yankee starter Mike Mussina on the ropes in the first inning, with runners at first and second, none out and Ortiz at the plate. Ortiz, though, couldn’t hold up on a 3-and-1 pitch that ran away from him, and his tapper back to Mussina was turned into a double play that deflated the budding rally.

Then, after flying out routinely to right in the fourth, Ortiz fanned with runners at second and third and one out and the Sox trailing, 2-1, in the sixth. Ortiz foul-tipped the pitch into Jose Molina’s mitt. It was the only strikeout of the game for the aging Mussina.

In Ortiz’s final at-bat, he lifted a soft popup behind third base.

Not surprisingly Francona was asked after the game if he thought Ortiz had reached a point where he needed a day off.

“That’s actually a possibility, a day where maybe he can do some physical things but keep his mind [clear],” said Francona. “We’ll see.”

Lowell’s thumb remains swollen

Third baseman Mike Lowell, who suffered a sprained left thumb on Wednesday and was placed on the disabled list the next day, said yesterday morning the condition of his thumb is “status quo.”

He said the swelling had gone down a decent amount the day after he suffered the injury, but that yesterday his thumb was as swollen as much as it was Friday. He has no idea of when he’ll be able to take some swings.

In the meantime, his treatment continues. Lowell said he iced the thumb the first two days, and yesterday he underwent laser treatment as well as “contrast” therapy — alternating ice and heat for a minute apiece over a 10-minute period of time. He will have two of those treatments today.

Francona, though, said that the area of Lowell’s injury is a little less tender and that doctors may be clearing him to throw soon. Francona said Lowell will go with the Sox on their trip to Cleveland and New York, which begins tomorrow and ends Thursday, so he can resume some baseball activities.

Lowrie happy to be here

Jed Lowrie is always in a good mood. The last two days the rookie infielder has been in an even better mood. He was sporting a huge grin yesterday afternoon as he emerged from the Sox’ dugout for an early BP session with Dustin Pedroia. The reason he’s so upbeat is because he’s made it to the majors.

After the Sox placed Lowell on the 15-day DL with a sprained thumb on Thursday, the club purchased Lowrie’s contract from Pawtucket. He arrived minutes before Thursday’s first pitch and last night he got his first taste of The Rivalry.

Management told him his playing time will be determined by the rest of the team’s health. Plus, since he’ll be here for two weeks the last thing the Red Sox want to happen is for him to be sitting on the bench because that doesn’t help his development. Francona said the plan is to work Lowrie into the lineup at least a couple of times.

“We told him to suck up everything he can and learn as much as he can,” said the manager. “Ask questions and try to help us win games.”

Lowrie has the unique ability to hit from both sides of the plate, and can play second, short and third. The Red Sox are also planning to have him play some first base at some point this season in Pawtucket.

He was able to get a ton of playing time during spring training, mainly because Julio Lugo missed most of camp with a back injury. The Red Sox already knew what kind of abilities their fourth selection in the 2005 draft possessed, but it became even clearer during the spring. Offensively and defensively, Lowrie has the ability to be an everyday player in the big leagues. It’s just a matter of honing those tools.

“He grinds out every at-bat for a young kid,” said Francona. “He has the ability to get the barrel to the ball on a lot of different pitches. He doesn’t swing at a lot of balls and looks like a mature player. … He’s a pretty mature player. He understands how to play and he’s a good solid thinker.”

Cora gets the OK to hit off a tee

Alex Cora, who has been hampered by a sore right elbow, was given clearance to hit off a tee today. But, while he says he is feeling better and is “chomping at the bit” to start throwing again, according to Francona, the team’s medical staff has not cleared the utility infielder to begin playing catch.

Drew’s success is in the sixth hole

J.D. Drew’s hot streak — he hit his third homer Friday night — continues. Last year his third homer didn’t come until June 8. But his success this season has not prompted Francona to move Drew up from sixth to fifth in the Red Sox batting order to replace Lowell. Francona is using Kevin Youkilis in the No. 5 hole. Youkilis went 0-for-3 Friday night, but went 2-for-4 yesterday.

Jeter won’t play this series

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (thigh) will miss the rest of this series. He took ground balls and BP yesterday, but it’s unlikely he’ll play today. And, there’s no timetable on his return. Girardi said his captain is willing to play hurt — as he’s done so many times before — but they don’t want to rush him. … Catcher Jorge Posada (arm) served as the DH again yesterday. He was able to play long toss on Friday, but did not throw yesterday. … Yankee outfielder Hideki Matsui was given yesterday off. … Alex Rodriguez’s wife, Cynthia, is expecting the couple’s second child next week. A-Rod has 520 career home runs. His next one will tie him with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 15th on the all-time list.

skrasner@projo.com