Hector Almonte hit Mike Lowell with a pitch in the eighth inning of Montreal's August 30th game in Florida. The pitch broke the fourth metacarpal of Lowell's left-hand. Roster expansion means Lowell won't be placed on the disabled list, but he's expected to need four weeks to recover from the injury to the bone below his ring finger.

Consequently, the Marlins were in a panic to replace at least a portion of the offense lost with their most productive hitter. Making a move quickly was important not only because they wanted help in the lineup immediately but also because any player acquired after August 31st would not be eligible for the playoff roster. While making the playoffs becomes more difficult without Lowell and he might be ready to return by the time post-season play begins, Florida didn't want to close any doors by dilly-dallying in completing a deal. Late Sunday night, the Marlins sent Denny Bautista and Don Levinski to Baltimore for Jeff Conine.