Derek Lowe got roughed up by the Brewers on Friday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in three innings of work.

All four hits were singles, but Lowe labored badly in his second spring outing, facing 14 batters across his three frames. No matter how much he labors in the Cactus League, however, the soon-to-be 39-year-old righty will begin the season in the Indians' rotation.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Derek Lowe has "strong interest" in returning to the Red Sox as a starter or reliever once his contract expires after this season.

Lowe, 38, posted an ERA north of 5.00 in 2011, but he's still extremely durable, and a rebound year in Cleveland could make him a tempting option as a back-end innings-eater. He's, of course, been a closer with the Red Sox in the past but would almost surely just be a middle reliever if he does ultimately have to settle for a bullpen role. Lowe will earn $15 million in 2012, with the Braves picking up $10 million of the tab.

Derek Lowe has been traded to the Indians, reports Jon Heyman of SI.com.

No word yet on the compensation headed Atlanta's way, but the Braves will almost certainly have to pick up a portion of Lowe's $12 million salary in 2012. Lowe finished this season with a 5.15 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 34 starts, including a 8.75 ERA over five outings in September. With Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy locks for the 2012 rotation and young starters Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran prepared to battle for the fifth spot, Atlanta was motivated to move Lowe and did so quickly.

Braves general manager Frank Wren said Friday that Derek Lowe will likely not be in the starting rotation next season.

"You want to put the best five starters out there," said Wren. "Right now, the way we project, I'm not sure Derek would be one of our top five starters. I'll just leave it at that." As of now, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy look like pretty solid locks for the rotation. Meanwhile, young starters Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran could compete for the fifth spot. Lowe is owed $12 million next season, so the Braves would likely have to pick up a significant portion of his contract to ship him elsewhere. Otherwise, he'll just be a ridiculously overpaid reliever.

Derek Lowe was lit up by the Phillies Tuesday, giving up five runs on six hits over just four innings.

It's a predictably poor performance from a guy that's had a horrendous year and an even worse September. He held an 8.75 ERA over five outings this month, and will finish the season with a 5.15 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 34 starts. The Braves may have no choice but to give him a start in the postseason (assuming they get there) given their injuries, but chances are it's going to be ugly.

Derek Lowe allowed three runs on six hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday, taking the loss in Atlanta's 4-0 setback against the Marlins.

Lowe gave the Braves a quality start when they desperately needed one, but received just two hits of support. The quality outing was his first in four September starts. Lowe's final, and most important, start of the year will come on Tuesday against the Phillies. He is 1-3 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in four outings against the Phillies this season.

Derek Lowe was smoked for six runs over 2 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mets on Friday night.

In a word, ugly. Lowe gave up nine hits (including a two-run homer to David Wright) and a walk while striking out a pair. His ERA jumped from 4.70 to 4.94 with the poor showing. The Braves now hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the Cardinals for the Wild Card, their smallest lead since August 7.

Derek Lowe labored against the Phillies on Monday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks in five innings of a 9-0 Braves loss.

Lowe's effort came as Cliff Lee tossed his sixth shutout of the season for the Phillies. Now 9-13 on the year, Lowe is the owner of a 5.37 ERA and 43/24 K/BB ratio in 55 1/3 innings since the All-Star break. He'll get the Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend.

Derek Lowe held the Nationals to one run on three hits in six innings on Wednesday, improving to 9-12 in a 3-1 Braves victory at home.

He struck out six and walked two. His only real mistake of the night came in the seventh, where he allowed a leadoff home run to Mike Morse before being pulled. He'll take a 4.52 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 120/61 K/BB ratio into his Monday start against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Derek Lowe allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks in seven innings of work on Wednesday, falling to 8-12 in Atlanta's 3-2 loss to the Cubs.

Lowe struck out six. He allowed all three of his runs in the second inning. The quality start was just his second in his past 10 outings, while tonight was the first time since May 17 Lowe was able to complete seven innings of work (18 starts). He'll take a 4.63 ERA and 1.46 WHIP into his Tuesday matchup with the Nationals.

Derek Lowe held the Marlins to two runs on six hits in six innings of work on Monday, improving to 7-10 in Atlanta's 8-5 win in Miami.

He struck out three and walked three. Tonight was Lowe's first quality start in seven outings. That should tell you all you need to know about his current value in mixed leagues.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said the struggling Derek Lowe will retain his spot in the rotation.

Lowe has a 7.52 ERA over his past five starts and a 4.86 mark on the season, but Gonzalez is sticking with the veteran despite having able youngsters Mike Minor and Julio Teheran at the ready. "Like any athlete that goes though some tough stretches - hitters go through it, pitchers go through it, bullpen guys go through it, and closers," Gonzalez said. "I think we're going through that a little bit like that. You ride it out." It's worth noting that Lowe went 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA last September, so perhaps he'll have another strong finish.

Derek Lowe imploded in a loss to the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing eight runs -- seven earned -- on ten hits and two walks over four innings.

He gave up two homers, the killer of which was Rick Ankiel's grand slam in the fourth. Lowe is in a serious funk right now. He finished July with a 5.86 ERA over five starts and begins August even worse. The Braves weren't able to unload him at the trade deadline to open up a spot for Mike Minor or Julio Teheran because of Lowe's $15 million price tag for next season. Atlanta will have to continue to roll with the veteran through his struggles.

Derek Lowe didn't fare well against the Pirates Thursday, allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks over just five innings of work.

Another poor effort from Lowe, who finishes July with a 5.86 ERA over five starts. The Braves would surely love to trade him, as Mike Minor or Julio Teheran could ably take his spot, but with a 4.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, not to mention a $15 million price tag for next season, the Braves' phone isn't exactly ringing off the hook. He'll try to rebound next week against the Nationals.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Derek Lowe is unlikely to be traded.

That's kind of what we felt all along. Lowe is due $15 million next season, which makes him an unattractive trade option given his mediocre production. With the veteran right-hander sticking around in Atlanta, Mike Minor and Julio Teheran won't be bound for the Braves rotation.

Derek Lowe surrendered four runs over five-plus innings in a loss to the Reds on Saturday.

Lowe was chased after giving up three runs on five straight hits to begin the bottom of the sixth. All told, he allowed six hits while walking two, striking out one and hitting a batter. The veteran right-hander dropped to 6-8 with a 4.49 ERA over 22 starts in the loss. He'll hope to bounce back against the Pirates next week.

Derek Lowe allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a victory over the Rockies Tuesday.

Lowe was his own biggest supporter, smacking a bases-loaded double in the third inning that cleared the bases and gave the Braves a 4-0 lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Lowe has won consecutive games after suffering through a nine-start winless streak. He's now 5-6 with a 4.21 ERA.

Derek Lowe pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Mariners on Wednesday to pick up his first win since May 6.

Finally back in the win column. Lowe was in the midst of a nine-start winless streak, though the Braves actually went 5-4 in those games. While he has a disappointing 4-6 record, the Braves are 10-8 in his starts.

Derek Lowe was tagged for five runs in 5 2/3 innings by the Padres on Friday.

Lowe has now gone nine starts without a win, though the Braves are actually 5-4 in those games. This one, though, was a big loss, as the Padres ended up scoring 11 times in all. Lowe should remain a solid enough NL-only starter the rest of the way, but he's not worth using in mixed leagues these days.

Derek Lowe had his DUI charges dropped Thursday in court due to a "lack of evidence."

Lowe was pulled over in late April for allegedly racing another driver while under the influence of alcohol. He passed the field sobriety test with ease and the prosecuting attorney decided not to pursue it any further.