Finger may keep Crisp on sideline

BALTIMORE -- The optimistic spin on Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp before yesterday's 4-1 victory over the Orioles, a game in which he was replaced by Adam Stern, was that the finger injury he suffered Saturday would not stop him from being ready for Opening Day tomorrow at Fenway Park.

That optimism was losing steam last night. Crisp and manager Terry Francona were confident the injury was minor, but those views were expressed before X-rays had been taken to determine if Crisp's left (non-throwing) index finger was broken. Such an injury would affect Crisp's ability to grip a bat.

Before yesterday's game, Crisp said he didn't want X-rays when asked about the sore and swollen finger he suffered on an unsuccessful attempted steal of third base in Saturday night's 2-1 win. Crisp, who left Camden Yards without a cast or wrapping on his hand last night, also said he could have played yesterday.

While a Red Sox doctor was on the trip, the team didn't offer information on whether Crisp was X-rayed during yesterday's game. A team spokesman said last night Crisp would be evaluated by the medical staff today, and the spokesman would not confirm or deny a Channel 7 report that Crisp had a broken knuckle and might be lost for up to a month.

If the the finger is fractured, it might mean an extended stay for Stern, who had been earmarked for Pawtucket as soon as his 17-day obligation to meet Rule 5 requirements is met later this month. But Stern's first 2006 start was quite productive as he went 2 for 5 with a pair of RBIs.

Stern, who fell a double shy of the cycle for Team Canada while also making two acrobatic catches against Team USA last month in the World Baseball Classic, got the news he'd be playing yesterday morning. He hit an RBI single in the fifth against Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez and reached on an infield hit in the sixth, which brought home the third Sox run.

''Any time you get a chance to start and play, that's a lot of fun for me," Stern said. ''I just wanted to do something to help us win out there. You just want to make the best of your opportunities when you get the chance."

Stern said he has not been told of what will happen when his 17-day obligation ends. Francona has said he thinks Stern needs to go down and play every day and get 400-500 at-bats so the organization can get a feel for what he can give it. The Sox seem committed to Wily Mo Peña, who at 24, also needs at-bats.

Stern said he will do whatever the Sox recommend, even if it means spending time in Triple A. However, with last night's developments, Stern could be needed in Boston for some time.

Opening Day festivities at Fenway tomorrow will be MC'd by broadcasters Joe Castiglione and Don Orsillo. The Sox will honor six members of the 1946 team, Bobby Doerr, Charlie Wagner, Eddie Pellagrini, Don Gutteridge, Johnny Pesky, and Boo Ferriss. There also will be a moment of silence in honor of the late Curt Gowdy. The Boston Children's Chorus will sing the Canadian national anthem, and ''The Star-Spangled Banner" will be performed by 5-year-old Jimmy Fund patient Jordan Leandre of Dennis . . . There will be a screen to protect Sox personnel in the dugout. It could prevent extra bases on errant throws that would have gone into the dugout. Francona said the protection is a good thing, and ''maybe we can relax a little when David [Ortiz] comes up. There are times it looks like he's aiming [at us]." Francona said the screen is removable if players and coaches find they can't see the game well . . . Peña's braces broke in Texas, so he had to see an orthodontist. Francona is going to try to get Peña in against some lefthanders and in some pinch-hitting roles.