It's a busy day for dealing

With the Red Sox falling out of first place Monday night for the first time in 25 days, general manager Theo Epstein sprang into action yesterday, making the first of what appears to be a series of moves heading into the crucial weeks of the season.

The rundown:

The Sox obtained infielder Tony Graffanino from the Royals for Pawtucket outfielder Chip Ambres (.294 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs) and Single A pitcher Juan Cedeno. Graffanino had been playing third base for the Royals, but is expected to play second base for the Sox while Mark Bellhorn is on the disabled list.

They also sent Pawtucket righthander Scott Cassidy to the Padres for outfielder Adam Hyzdu, whom the Sox traded to San Diego in spring training for since-jettisoned reliever Blaine Neal. Hyzdu, who was a defensive replacement in the ninth inning last night, will serve as a righthanded-hitting reserve until Gabe Kapler, recently reacquired after his release from the Yomiuri Giants, is back in playing shape. Kapler was at Fenway last night to be examined and will begin his rehab in Lowell tonight.

Hyzdu hit .150 (3 for 20) with four RBIs in 17 games for San Diego before being demoted to the Padres' Triple A affiliate in Portland, Ore., where he batted .271 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 62 games.

Lefthander Alan Embree was designated for assignment. This was slightly surprising considering the 35-year-old had pitched better of late. The Sox have 10 days to deal Embree or release him. Embree was 1-4 with a save and a 7.65 ERA in 43 appearances. With lefthanders Mike Myers and John Halama, the Sox felt they were protected for the time being out of the bullpen. But the Sox are one of several teams (as many as 12 according to one major league source) pursuing Twins lefthanded reliever J.C. Romero.

The Twins are looking for a third baseman and would like to have Bill Mueller, a low-salary veteran who is solid defensively and would be an impact hitter at the Metrodome.

A major league source also said the Twins would consider Kevin Youkilis, and the deal could be expanded to include a Minnesota starting pitcher.

''There's still a lot to be worked out," said one Red Sox source. ''[Romero] walks a lot of people, but he's got good stuff and he strikes out someone when you need it."

Embree was called into manager Terry Francona's office early yesterday afternoon and was told the news. Francona said it was difficult to let go of a player who was so instrumental to the bullpen's success last season.

''It's not a real fun decision to make," said Francona. ''We let him have a little bit of input. We kind of arrived at this because it's just not working out consistently as we needed to. Although he thinks he's maybe getting better, I think he acknowledged that it's been rough. He was about as professional as you can be. We talked to him for a while and that's what we decided to do.

''It's been a tough road for him this year. He made some mistakes and he paid dearly over the middle of the plate [through] the first stretch. I thought he went through a stretch where he was actually making pitches and it didn't matter. So it's inconsistent pitching, coupled with bad luck. It's coming up to that time of the year where things happen."

Embree, who could not be reached for comment, had huge supporters in the clubhouse, none bigger than Mike Timlin.

''Losing a pitcher of that quality is always tough," Timlin said. ''It's always tough when something happens so abruptly. The numbers said he was struggling but he was throwing well recently. I don't make the final decisions on those things. That's not my job. I always see the positive in everyone."

Timlin said he was able to speak to Embree before he departed.

''No one's ever happy when something like that happens," Timlin said. ''He's a good friend and tremendous teammate. I thought we were one of the better right-left combinations."

''Alan did a lot of great things in Boston . . . but we thought it was time for a change of scenery," said Epstein. Asked whether he could trade Embree, Epstein said, ''We expect teams to have interest in him."

The Sox started Alex Cora at second base again last night, but Graffanino is expected to see significant time there, including a start in this afternoon's series finale. The 33-year-old was hitting .298 with three homers and 18 RBIs with Kansas City, but over the last 10 games Graffanino was hitting just .222.

The Sox did not announce a move to make room for Graffanino last night. While the obvious move appears to be optioning Youkilis back to Pawtucket, Epstein indicated that wasn't necessaily the case.

Another option could be returning Rule 5 prospect Adam Stern to Atlanta or trying to work out a deal for him.

Epstein didn't rule out more moves but said of the trade market, ''There's not a lot of talent available and the price tags are steep."

On the number
Manny Ramirez moved to 37th on the all-time home run list with 415 (passing Darrell Evans) by slugging his 25th homer, marking the 11th consecutive year he's hit that many. Ramirez has 14 homers in his last 30 games, beginning June 12 at Wrigley Field, when he snapped a 69-at-bat homerless drought . . . Jason Varitek is hitting .366 (26 for 71) with 17 RBIs against lefthanded pitching . . . . . . Kevin Millar got the start in right field with lefthander Casey Fossum starting for the Devil Rays, while John Olerud played first . . . Cora made a great diving stop and strong throw on a Travis Lee grounder in the fifth . . . Former Sox manager Don Zimmer is here with the Devil Rays as a consultant . . . Former Sox pitcher Rich Gale was at the ballpark, as was Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie, who took infield practice with the Sox. Many players did not take part in infield practice because of the high temperatures, which were over 100 degrees on the field in the afternoon.

Gordon Edes of the Globe staff contributed to this report.