Not yet open season on trades

While the New York Mets have struck first with three recent trades for pitching, including the acquisition of Orlando ``El Duque" Hernandez from Arizona for reliever Jorge Julio, the real trading season hasn't quite begun yet, according to Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

Yet after last night's 8-4 win over the Devil Rays, in which David Wells pitched well until he was struck on the right kneecap by a line drive from Travis Lee's bat, Epstein might have to accelerate the process of seeking another starter .

Epstein said before Wells's injury that he believed the dealing would begin in earnest after the amateur draft June 6-7. Nevertheless, scouts are out taking a look at players who could become available.

Epstein said yesterday there was no update on the Roger Clemens sweepstakes. According to Epstein, the next step will be for Randy Hendricks, who represents Clemens, to inform teams if Clemens has decided to pitch this season. Hendricks told the Globe Thursday that after two weeks of intense workouts, it appears Clemens has made up his mind to pitch. Hendricks is expected to notify teams of his client's intentions within the next few days.

The results of today's MRI on Wells's knee and what his recovery time might be will likely go far to determine Epstein's plan for pitching help. Matt Clement is also a concern, after allowing eight runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Yankees Wednesday .

The Sox are not quite ready to dip into the farm system for lefthander Jon Lester, who is at Triple A Pawtucket, and the team is certainly not going to move Jonathan Papelbon out of the closer's role.

Florida's Dontrelle Willis has long been talked about as a pitcher who may be available near the trading deadline, although the Marlins deny it. But the lefthander would come at a high price. Don't forget, Jason Varitek developed a strong rapport with Willis at the World Baseball Classic, catching all of his starts.

Kelvim Escobar might also become available, given the Angels' poor start .

Outfielder Dustan Mohr was optioned to Pawtucket yesterday to make room for Wells on the roster. Manager Terry Francona said another move will likely be made in a few days or whenever the team decides to activate Coco Crisp, who went 2 for 6 with a home run while playing center field yesterday in extended spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. Barring a setback on a rehab assignment with Pawtucket over the weekend, Crisp will likely join the team Monday in Toronto. The Sox opted to drop Mohr instead of a pitcher in case Wells had a short outing last night. If a pitcher is sent down when Crisp returns, it will likely be Jermaine Van Buren. Mohr batted .175 with two home runs and three RBIs in 21 games. He started the year in Pawtucket before joining the Sox April 11 . . . First base coach Bill Haselman made it back from his home in Seattle, where he was tending to a family issue the past few days . . . Pitching coach Dave Wallace, who has missed the entire season after complications from a hip infection, will have hip replacement surgery as planned June 1. Wallace visited with Francona yesterday and continues to watch pitchers on video, offering input to interim pitching coach Al Nipper . . . Gabe Kapler is expected to go to extended spring training in Fort Myers early next week. Kapler, who suffered a ruptured left Achilles' tendon last season, has had a long road back. ``I'd love to get a look at the young kids' faces when he starts to play," said Francona. ``You won't see one kid not running out a ground ball." . . . Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford recorded the first multihomer game of his career with solo shots in the fourth and eighth innings, and is 10 for 14 in his last three games. ``The ball is just jumping off his bat more than anything that I ever saw in spring training," said Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon . . . Rocco Baldelli of the Devil Rays began a 20-day rehab assignment with Triple A Durham this week. Baldelli, who grew up in Woonsocket, R.I., is coming off a left hamstring strain. In two games with Durham prior to last night, he was 4 for 7 with two RBIs . . . The Blue Jays moved ace Roy Halladay back a day so he could face the Sox Monday in Toronto . . . Former Sox general manager Mike Port was on hand last night. Port oversees the umpires for Major League Baseball.