Ramirez is the man once again in left field

SEATTLE -- Shortly after Terry Francona had announced that yes, indeed, Manny Ramirez was back in the Red Sox lineup, playing left field and batting cleanup, Ramirez went into the manager's office, the door closing behind him.

Seven minutes passed. Reporters wondered if the lineup they had written down would be outdated by the time they reached the pressbox.

Finally, the door opened. Ramirez emerged . . . smiling. Then came Francona, who first looked over at reporters, then hurled a profanity at Ramirez's back. He, too, was smiling.

Once again, there was sweetness and light in Manny Land. Nine days after making his last start in left field for the Sox, a blowout in which Francona had substituted liberally but left Ramirez in for nine innings, an exercise that left Ramirez coming to the manager the next day complaining of tight hamstrings, he was back in his rightful place.

Whatever standoff that existed between player and manager -- Ramirez saying he could DH, Francona resolute in his edict that Ramirez would play left or not play at all -- was over.

"I'm going to get the `bronze' glove," Ramirez said, bestowing to himself the same imaginary alternative to the Gold Glove for defense that he had awarded to first baseman David Ortiz the day before.

He mugged for reporters. "Are you ready? Are you ready?" he asked.

Then he cheerily acknowledged that after being checked out by one of the Sox doctors, Joseph Chase, Sunday, he felt he was able to go, something he hadn't done in the field since exactly a week ago, when he started in left field for the American League All-Stars in Houston and played three innings.

"Just common sense, trying to do the right thing, getting him healthy," Francona said of waiting until Ramirez could play in the field before restoring him to the lineup.

With lefthander Ron Villone pitching for the Mariners, Francona sat Trot Nixon and installed Gabe Kapler in right, with Kevin Millar at first base and Ortiz serving as DH.

Ramirez's teammates had no problems teasing him about his condition, further evidence that whatever tension had built had essentially dissipated. "Manny, my hamstring's killing me," reliever Alan Embree said as he walked past the Sox slugger.

Ramirez, despite being shelved over the weekend, entered last night's game leading the American League in home runs with 26, and was tied for the league lead in on-base percentage (.434). He is third in RBIs with 77.

No news on Ortiz Still no news on Ortiz's possible suspension in the wake of Friday's bat-tossing incident in Anaheim. Francona said he had not been in contact with the commissioner's office regarding the incident.

"Maybe they realize it was such a small mistake, they'll let it go," Francona deadpanned. "That's my initial read on it."

If the Most Valuable Player award was given out based on performance from All-Star Game to All-Star Game, Ortiz might have won in a walk. The Sox' crack research team noted that Ortiz ranked among the major league leaders in many of the major offensive categories: RBIs (138, first), total bases (364, first), doubles (47, first), extra-base hits (96, first), home runs (46, third, behind Jim Thome, 54, and Alex Rodriguez, 49), and slugging percentage (.622, fourth, behind Barry Bonds, .798, Ramirez, .648, and Thome, .640).

Francona estimated that he received at least 20 phone calls from friends who watched his attempts to restrain the linebacker-sized Ortiz after his ejection. He said he lost a toenail during his efforts.

Double talk Francona said he may not know until just before Thursday's doubleheader whether Tim Wakefield will be able to pitch against the Orioles in Fenway Park. The knuckleballer is recovering from being struck in the back of the right shoulder by a line drive off the bat of Angels catcher Jose Molina. Francona also is delaying the announcement of who will pitch the other game Thursday, since it will require a roster move. The starting pitcher in Pawtucket on track to work Thursday is former Sox pitcher Frank Castillo . . . It was never Curt Schilling's intention to return home to Boston before the end of the trip. Francona said if he had misspoke and suggested otherwise, he was sorry . . . Francona said he was hesitant to say that Scott Williamson, who threw off a mound yesterday for the first time since inflammation in his elbow irritated a nerve in his forearm, will be back any time soon. Francona said it is important Williamson not have another setback when he comes back.

Dan Shaughnessy of the Globe staff contributed to this report.