BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have designated shortstop Julio Lugo for assignment.

The move means the team has 10 days to trade or release him.

Lugo signed a four-year, $36 million free agent contract with the Red Sox before the 2007 season. If the team cannot trade him, it will have to absorb about $13 million over the next year and a half.

Lugo is batting .284 with one homer and eight RBIs in 37 games this season. He has made seven errors.