Okajima top AL rookie

Mike Lowell drops by second base, escaping a rundown, as Mark Ellis drops the ball. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF)

Hideki Okajima said yesterday he still moves freely around town without being recognized, but that could change in a hurry. Okajima yesterday was named American League rookie of the month for April, edging out another Japanese import, Devil Rays third baseman Akinori Iwamura. Okajima had an 0.71 ERA in 12 April appearances, allowing just five hits and three walks.

It was probably just a coincidence, but Okajima now has his own translator, Jeff Yamaguchi.

"I feel different," Okajima said through Yamaguchi, when asked if he'd noticed the louder cheers he now receives upon entry into a game. "I try not to think about it, but it feels different."

Okajima said he was "very proud" that Yankees first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz had called the lefthanded reliever the MVP of the Red Sox, but then asked Yamaguchi who Mientkiewicz was.

He admitted that he doesn't know many players. "Giambi," he said. "A-Rod. Jeter. Other teams, I don't know. But I know Mike Piazza [of the Athletics]."

Okajima gave up a leadoff walk to Eric Chavez in the eighth inning last night, but induced Nick Swisher to hit into a double play and retired Dan Johnson on a called third strike. Okajima has pitched in the last three games and four of the last five.

And yes, Okajima said with a laugh, he was aware of the "Oki-Doki" nickname bullpen coach Gary Tuck had given his change up. "That's a good name," Okajima said.

And yes, he said, he enjoyed the patter of locker mate Julian Tavarez.

"Nice guy," he said in English.

Daniel Bard, who has struggled mightily since being drafted in the first round by the Red Sox last June, has been placed on the disabled list by the Single A Lancaster JetHawks.

"He has triceps tendinitis on the back side of his elbow," Sox director of player development Mike Hazen wrote in an e-mail last night. "[Bard's] looking at about seven days down, and then he should be able to move fairly quickly back to the mound."

Bard, who was the 28th player taken in the draft, signed with the Sox for a $1.55 million bonus after a protracted negotiation last summer. He has allowed a whopping 22 walks and 21 hits in just 13 1/3 innings for the JetHawks. He came into the season with a fastball that was rated the best in the Sox system by Baseball America after he was clocked at 100 miles per hour last fall.

Bard has been struggling with finding his arm slot, one club official said, and he may use the time on the DL to take ground balls, which is one way he has used to rediscover his arm slot in the past.

Les Otten, the former ski industry mogul who became a part-owner of the Sox, has sold his share back to the ownership group he helped form.

"I had a great time, and I've got some other things in my sights that I want to do," Otten said.

Otten, an original partner of Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino before John W. Henry joined the group and assumed a majority stake, said he sold his share last month, but wouldn't say what percentage of the team he owned or the selling price.

He also wouldn't say what businesses he wants to pursue and, citing a confidentiality agreement, wouldn't comment on reports that he'll return to the American Skiing Co. he founded. The company forced him out in 2001, shortly before Otten and a group of investors led by Henry bought the Red Sox for $660 million.

Jason Varitek had an infield hit in his first at-bat last night, then singled again through the box, an encouraging development for the captain, who has been struggling from the left side. Varitek came into the game batting just .173 (9 for 52) against righthanders. Only Wily Mo Peña (.136, 3 for 22) had a lower average against righties. Varitek has yet to homer from the left side and has driven in just four runs. When Varitek hit 22 home runs in 2005, 13 came from the left side. In 2003, when he homered a career-high 25 times, he hit 15 from the left side. In both of those seasons, his rate of home runs against lefties was 1 every 13.6 at-bats; against righties, it was 1 every 26.8 at-bats in 2005, 1 every 21 at-bats in 2003 . . . Coco Crisp, with two hits last night, is batting .406 (13 for 32) over his last eight games . . . Manny Ramírez has two hits in each of his last three games (6 for 12) . . . Kevin Youkilis also has hit in eight straight (.387, 12 for 31) . . . J.D. Drew's RBI single in the eighth broke an 0-for-15 skid.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.