Foulke stays on course

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox closer Keith Foulke, who will receive one more injection of lubricant in his left knee this afternoon to end a 15-day cycle of treatment, said yesterday he expects to pitch in an exhibition game perhaps as early as Thursday.

Foulke, who threw 21 pitches to several minor league hitters on a back field yesterday while watched by general manager Theo Epstein, manager Terry Francona, pitching coach Al Nipper, and other team officials, reiterated what he has been saying all along, that he will be ready come Opening Day April 3 in Texas.

''Opening Day will be no problem unless something unforeseen happens," said Foulke, who was wild initially, walking the first two batters in simulated-game conditions, but drew praise from Jason Varitek for several pitches, including a couple of sharply dipping changeups and cut fastballs.

Foulke, who will throw another simulated game of similar duration here today, said he expects to pitch in several games before camp breaks, including back-to-back outings. He's doing so, he indicated, more to answer questions his bosses might have. He has no doubts he is ready to go.

''I don't need to throw that many games to start the season," said Foulke, who will have had three Synvisc injections in each surgically repaired knee. ''The last couple of years I did to try to work out problems. I feel better now than I have in a long time, so we won't need the 'panic' innings.

''All I need to do is get in the there, see some hitters, satisfy some people. I mean, I don't need to be satisfied. I have no reservations about being ready for Opening Day."

Foulke, who often can be prickly in interview sessions, could not have been more relaxed or forthcoming than he was yesterday, going into detail about the injections he is undergoing.

Synvisc, according to the company's website, is made from a substance called hyaluronan, which is found in normal joint fluid. It acts as a lubricant and a shock absorber in the knee. Typically, according to the website, patients find the greatest pain relief 8-12 weeks after beginning treatment. Possible side effects include pain, swelling, and fluid buildup in the knee.

Foulke said he experienced considerable soreness when he attempted to throw the day after his first injection. He since has learned, he said, to take a day off, then toss lightly on the side for a couple of days before attempting to get on a mound again.

He said he could not predict how frequently he will need the injections during the season.

Yankees ace Randy Johnson also gets Synvisc injections in his knees.

Foulke said there is a possibility he might need cortisone shots if he experiences continued soreness in his knees. But he was pain-free yesterday.

''It allows me to pitch with no pain in my knees, it allows me to pitch with no restrictions," he said. ''I can bend my knees, I can drive through the ball, I can get on my front side, I can rotate."

Adam Stern, making a strong bid to stick as an extra outfielder, singled, doubled, and hit a two-run home run in an 8-4 exhibition win over the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Stern, playing right field, is hitting .400 this spring and also dazzled for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. His chief competition, Willie Harris, played center field and is batting .192. Harris also can play the infield, which may give him an edge. FOM (Friend of Manny) Enrique Wilson also homered . . . Lenny DiNardo threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits . . . The Blue Jays were dismayed when new acquisition A.J. Burnett came out of the game after just 18 pitches, complaining of elbow pain. Burnett, who signed a five-year, $55 million deal, is scheduled to undergo an MRI . . . Minutes after Francona expressed his fear to reporters that 86-year-old Johnny Pesky might be hit by a batted ball during a game or practice here, the Sox icon was struck in the ankle during a college game played on a back field at City of Palms Park. Pesky, who was bleeding, was treated by the medical staff in the team's training room and was resting comfortably. Pesky, who likes to sit on a folding chair down the third base line, had waved off a warning from one of the coaches that he might be in harm's way during the game between Suffolk University and Denison (Ohio) University.

Curt Schilling plans to pitch in a Triple A game this afternoon in Sarasota against the Reds' affiliate. ''I don't mind riding the bus," said Schilling, who two years ago chartered a plane to fly to an exhibition game in Vero Beach but this spring has ridden the bus to both Bradenton and Sarasota, rides of 90 minutes and over an hour, respectively. ''Reminds me of playing in the minor leagues." Catcher Ken Huckaby will accompany Schilling . . . Mike Timlin acknowledged that Epstein called Team USA GM Bob Watson and asked him not to use Timlin in Thursday's game after Timlin told trainers there he had a tired arm. Timlin threw a side session yesterday and reported no problems. Francona said the team will proceed cautiously, with Timlin scheduled to throw in minor league camp tomorrow, when the big leaguers have a scheduled day off . . . Varitek will split catching duties this afternoon with Josh Bard in his first spring appearance for the Sox. Varitek will catch Bronson Arroyo while Bard will handle Tim Wakefield as the Sox play the Orioles at City of Palms.