Rays/MLB

Wells iffy for next start, may go later

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 28, 2006

BOSTON (AP) - Red Sox left-hander David Wells might not miss a turn in the rotation despite leaving his last start after taking a line drive off his knee, Boston manager Terry Francona said.

"I think there's an outside chance he can start" as scheduled on Wednesday, Francona said. "I think there's a better chance his start gets pushed back a day or so."

Francona said an MRI showed nothing more than a bruise. Wells will be re-examined this weekend.

The 43-year-old Wells has pitched just twice this year, starting the season on the disabled list and going back on with a sprained right knee after an April 12 start in which he gave up seven runs in four-plus innings. In his comeback, he left in the fifth inning when Travis Lee lined one off the same knee.

Wells reached for the inside of his knee and fell while wincing in pain. He then rolled over onto his front side.

Wells was at the ballpark on Saturday before the game but not available for comment.

"He's sore, real sore," Francona said. "He's bouncing around on crutches."

In other team news, leftfielder Manny Ramirez missed his first game of the season because of a sore back, and centerfielder Wily Mo Pena also was out of the lineup Saturday.

ANGELS: Even though Darin Erstad ran the bases a few days ago in Texas, manager Mark Scioscia said there's still no timetable for his return. Erstad's been on the disabled list since May 8 with an irritated right ankle.

TWINS: The team turned a triple play to end a threat in the eighth inning of Saturday night's game against Seattle.

It was the second triple play of the season in the majors, and the Twins have been involved in both of them. The White Sox turned one on the Twins on May 14 at the Metrodome during Chicago's 9-7 win.

[Last modified May 28, 2006, 01:28:09]