For starters, Papelbon plays some dodgeball

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon feels he dodged a major injury last night by about an inch.

Shannon Stewart, the Twins' leadoff hitter, hit a shot back at Papelbon on his fifth pitch that hit about an inch outside his left ankle, halfway on the heel of his shoe.

''If that's an inch higher, I'm out 3-6 months," Papelbon said after a rocky outing in which he allowed four hits, two runs, one walk, and had one strikeout in the Sox' 6-3 loss to the Twins in the Grapefruit League opener last night at Hammond Field. ''Hopefully, the Big Man above was watching out for me."

Papelbon said he had some swelling and trainers told him he'll likely have a deep bruise, but he said he did not need an X-ray. After impact, Papelbon collected himself and made the play on Stewart. But he had to step back as the training staff tried to loosen up his foot. Papelbon did not come out of the game but he couldn't get through the second inning, leaving after his 38th pitch, a single by No. 9 hitter Jason Bartlett.

''It wasn't affecting my pitching and I felt the same way I did when I was warming up in the bullpen," Papelbon said. ''Before that, I felt good. I just wasn't expecting that. After I got hit, I just tried to throw it out the window."

Papelbon, who was sporting an ankle wrap, allowed a home run to Torii Hunter in the second inning on a first-pitch curveball. He also had a strikeout on a split-fingered pitch.

''I wasn't worried about the outcome," Papelbon said. ''I was just trying to get my work in."

''He'll be evaluated by Dr. [Thomas] Gill tomorrow," said manager Terry Francona. ''He needed a minute to shake it off, but our trainers didn't feel he needed X-rays."

Papelbon has been told by Francona that his role has not been determined.

''My goal is to be in the rotation," Papelbon said. ''I'll be glad in any role they ask of me. Tito has been straight with me and I appreciate that." Some of Papelbon's teammates, notably Curt Schilling, feel Papelbon should be in the rotation. But with Keith Foulke's health in question, the Sox are keeping their options open. Francona felt very comfortable handing the young righthander the ball in relief last season.

David Ortiz packed up after taking a few hacks in the cage and headed for Kissimmee, Fla., where the Dominican team has a three-day camp for the World Baseball Classic. ''Yeah, I'm getting excited because I get to play with a bunch of superstars on one team. Oh, yeah, I'm tired of these guys right here," Ortiz said jokingly. ''I've never left my teammates like that. It drives me a little crazy, but it's only for a short period of time so hopefully we'll go over with the WBC and come back to normal and just do what we have to do."

Ortiz might play first base to spell Albert Pujols, but won't be disappointed if he's not chosen to play the field.

Ortiz hasn't received too much pressure from his native Dominican to play in the Classic, but he knows the fans want to see him.

''Of course, the people want the good players to play," he said. ''They want us to have a good team."

Manny Ramírez said he would look like a fool if he tried to play competitively now, and Ortiz agreed with the notion, but he's doing it anyway. ''It's a little quick. I haven't played a game yet. But we'll see how we handle it."

Ortiz has had no second thoughts about playing, but he doesn't think he can play an entire game, even as a DH. He also said the games will be competitive because ''I'm pretty sure they're going to be pretty intense. Especially when you play for your country. There might be guys who may not be ready, but because of the situation, they're going to rush it. Some of them will have an advantage. Not everybody played winter ball. I played nine games. That's it. I have no idea how it's going to be."

Meanwhile, Ortiz still hopes a contract extension with the Red Sox will get done before the start of the season.

Synvisc, used to treat patients with osteoarthritis knee pain, might be the substance Keith Foulke is injecting into his kness.

According to Synvisc medical director Jeffrey Kraines, many professional athletes use the product.

''Basically, it replaces fluid that bathes the knee with healthy fluid," Kraines said. ''In replacing the diseased fluid, it cushions and lubricates the joints."

Foulke might have his second injection today. He did some throwing yesterday on flat ground during a 90-minute workout at City of Palms Park, and told the Hartford Courant, ''I don't know how I'm going to react to this. My first injection was pretty hard. That kind of kept me down a couple of days. Maybe when my body gets used to it in there, it will accept it faster."

Foulke said it takes 3-5 days to throw off a mound after an injection. His next mound session is scheduled today. Foulke still believes he'll be able to start the season on time as long as the injections take care of the pain.

Coco Crisp had a smashing debut, falling a home run short of the cycle in his Sox debut as the leadoff hitter. Crisp certainly showed a lot of speed in legging out a double and a triple. Francona's reaction to the switch-hitting Crisp, who had two hits righthanded and one lefthanded. ''That was pretty exciting. He was pleased and we were thrilled." . . . Francona said he wanted to speak to Ramírez about the possibility of using Ortiz's vacant DH spot for at-bats. Francona said Ramírez isn't a big fan of DHing, but it might preserve his legs in spring training . . . Highlights and lowlights last night: On the positive, Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen pitched a scoreless inning a piece. Enrique Wilson tripled. Tony Graffanino started a nifty 4-6-3 double play in the first inning. On the negative, Rudy Seánez allowed a pair of home runs, Dave Riske allowed one run in relief, outfield prospect David Murphy struck out four times, and infielder Dustin Pedroia had to leave with a strained left shoulder, incurred on a swing . . . Francona is hoping six-time Gold Glover J.T. Snow will have an influence on Kevin Youkilis's defense at first base. Francona has been pleased with Youkilis's development, but there are still some things Youkilis doesn't do at first base instinctively that Francona feels will come in time . . . Francona said he spoke to all nine of his players who have departed the team for the WBC about being cautious concerning their well-being. He has also talked to United States manager Buck Martinez and feels Martinez will use extra care so injuries can be avoided.