Martinez is due to be a free agent at the end of the year, meaning the Red Sox would have to ante up if they want to keep him.

The catcher will be looking for a large, long-term contract and should have suitors lining up for his services.

He isn’t the best defensively behind the plate and always seems to plagued by injuries, so it’s a tough call for Boston.

The team in general is getting older and more injury prone, which is a serious concern for the club.

Instead, Damon has invoked his no-trade clause and decided to remain with the Tigers.

The outfielder said he was leaning toward staying in Detroit, but the pull from his teammates to stick around solidified things.

It also probably helped knowing that the beat-up Red Sox are limping down the stretch and aren’t likely to have a shot at the playoffs.

Damon has played well this year for the Tigers and might stick around a bit longer to reach the 3,000 hit mark.

Lowell said he is getting closer and closer to his decision and is looking forward to enjoying time with his kids.

It’s been a frustrating year for Lowell, who lost his starting job to free agenty pickup Adrian Beltre.

He then thought he was on his way to Texas to have a significant role with the Rangers but concerns over his physical nixed the trade.

Playing time has been better lately with Lowell seeing a lot of time at first base with the season-ending injury to Kevin Youkilis.

The Red Sox didn’t get Pedroia back a moment too soon as they try and make a push at a playoff spot.

The offense could really use Pedroia’s production after losing Kevin Youkilis to a season-ending injury.

With Pedroia in the lineup in the first half of the season, the Red Sox were 44-31. Without Pedroia, the team went just 23-21.

He will certainly help them at the top of the lineup from both a power and speed perspective.

With Kevin Youkilis out for the season, the Red Sox are hoping Delgado can fill the void at first base.

Since he hasn’t played at all this season, the Red Sox first want to see how Delgado handles minor league pitching.

Boston sits just six games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East and five behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card race.

It’s hard to envision the Red Sox reaching the playoffs given the injuries to Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Josh Beckett throughout the season, but they are still right in the hunt in mid-August. 

Youkilis was hopeful that treatment and rest would be enough to allow his thumb to heal, which would have let him return this year.

Instead, surgery will be required, forcing him to miss the Red Sox’ stretch push for the playoffs.

The loss of Youkilis very likely will be the final nail in the coffin when it comes to Boston’s playoff hopes.

The first baseman was leading the team in many offensive categories and was one its leaders.

Martinez has been on the disabled list with a thumb injury and had trouble catching and hitting.

He is going to catch some pitchers in the bullpen and if he feels alright, he will be activated from the DL.

If not, Martinez will rest before eventually heading on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.

With the Red Sox in a tight race in the American League East, they need to get Martinez back as soon as possible.

Beckett struggled for much of the year before finally succumbing to a back injury and landing on the disabled list.

His status as the team’s ace has come under fire now that left-hander Jon Lester is pitching so well.

The Red Sox are hopeful that Beckett’s injury was the cause for his poor numbers to date.

With their ace back in the fold, Boston hopes getting Beckett back is like making a big splash at the trade deadline.

That’s highly unlikely to happen given the way Ortiz struggled at the onset of the past two seasons.

Things got so bad at the start of this season that the Red Sox benched Ortiz and there was talk of releasing him.

Big Papi eventually got things turned around and is now hitting the ball with his usual authority.

The club has a $12.5 million option on Ortiz for next year, and he said he isn’t going anywhere.

The team had both offensive and pitching struggles over the first month or so, but some of that has been corrected.

Designated hitter David Ortiz was considered a lost cause weeks into the season, but now he is one of the league’s hottest hitters.

His re-emergence has been a big help for the rest of the lineup, adding protection for guys like Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis.

Josh Beckett has been banged up with an assortment of injuries, the worst being a lower back strain.