Team won't commit to Japan

While Players Association lawyer Gene Orza told the Associated Press last night that the Red Sox were a "logical choice" to open next season in Tokyo because of Daisuke Matsuzaka, it still appears unlikely they will be one of two teams playing in the Tokyo Dome.

No decisions have been made, but while the Sox' marketing arm has some interest in playing in Japan, the baseball operations side -- and owner John W. Henry -- still have serious reservations about making the journey, citing concerns about player fatigue and other potential disruptions.

Spokesman John Blake said the club is still waiting to see a draft of the 2008 schedule before any decisions are made. The first draft is usually sent to clubs by now, but has been postponed until Aug. 15.

The Oakland Athletics, who were supposed to go to Japan in 2003 but did not because of the war in Iraq, are making a strong bid to go next season, and if they do, a major league source said last night, it is their expectation that they would play the Red Sox. An AP report mentioned the Angels and Mariners as other potential rivals for the Sox, but in the end, it's possible that two of the West Coast teams would play each other and the Sox would not be involved.

Officials from the Yomiuri Giants, who host the games in the Tokyo Dome, are to meet with Major League Baseball officials tomorrow in New York.

"I have only briefly spoken with the Red Sox players, so I don't know what their view on the matter is. But the Red Sox are a logical choice given Matsuzaka," Orza told the AP.

Henry did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment, while CEO Larry Lucchino told the AP any comment would be "premature."

Orza, the union's chief operating officer, said that players did not want to disrupt spring training, making exhibition games in Beijing unlikely next year. Major League Baseball has been hoping to stage preseason games at the stadium that will be used for next year's Olympics.

"Going to Beijing would be nice, and we're going to still try to work through that, but I just don't think it fits in with the concept of spring training," Orza said. "The two are at odds with each other given the routine that spring training represents."

Designated hitter David Ortiz, asked about the condition of his right knee the day after he hit two home runs, said, "It's up and down every day. Up and down. I've got to deal with it, right?"

Ortiz was asked if he erred by not having offseason surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his knee. "I didn't think I needed it," he said. The team never asked him to do so, he said. "We never talked about it."

Ortiz said he was not surprised to hear comments by ace Johan Santana disparaging the Twins for not adding any players at the trading deadline.

"You know what? All the time I was with the Twins, I don't remember us picking up anybody at the trading deadline. Ever," Ortiz said. "So, this guy [Santana] is a gamer, I got to think he's mad about it. Every team at this point needs something, so when he sees they're not getting anything, he gets upset."

Santana is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season and can walk. "He will," Ortiz said. "I guess he will. First of all, they're not going to pay him what he can get. You know that? Everybody knows that. That's not news. And second of all, look at what he just said. Hopefully, we get the chance to mess him up. That would be interesting. He'd love to come here, I tell you that. It'll be interesting to see where those guys [Santana and Torii Hunter, a prospective free agent this winter] go."

Asked about the Yankees not making a major pickup at the deadline, Ortiz said, "The problem with the Yankees is they have such a big payroll, if they get another big guy, that's just going to make the payroll bigger. They're almost doubling everybody [already]. Plus, where are you going to go? Every position is locked in."

About whether he thought the Sox were going to add another bat, Ortiz said, "I saw on TV they were trying to get Jermaine Dye, but where are you going to put him? If I'm him, I don't let them trade me to sit on the bench for another team. He's not a bench player. I don't care how much he struggles, he can be my cleanup hitter any time. He can hit. I don't care what people say. He can be hitting .200. I don't care. When you can hit, nobody can take that away from you. Anybody can have a tough year."

Curt Schilling will start Sunday in Seattle, manager Terry Francona said. Schilling just completed a hugely impressive rehab stint in Pawtucket in which he did not allow a run in 15 innings, striking out 18 and walking none. In his last tuneup, Tuesday in Columbus, Schilling threw breaking balls for first-pitch strikes to 10 batters. He also left a lasting impression with his temporary teammates by picking up the tab for a lavish steak and lobster postgame spread after each of his last two outings for the PawSox . . . Jon Lester will pitch tomorrow's series opener in Seattle, followed by Matsuzaka Saturday . . . J.D. Drew was not in the starting lineup, nor was he at the ballpark, after his son underwent extensive surgery Tuesday. The club revealed no other details, but the surgery lasted seven hours. A source close to Drew said the child was OK . . . Sox officials were mum about whether they plan to sign switch-hitting outfielder Bobby Kielty, who was released by the Athletics Tuesday. The Sox discussed a possible trade for Kielty when the Athletics designated him for assignment, but they may not be the only team being considered by Kielty at this time. A resolution is expected in a couple of days . . . The Sox crossed the 2 million mark in attendance last night, the earliest they've ever crossed that threshold. They did it on their 55th home date. Last year, they did it on their 56th home date. They have drawn 2 million and more in attendance 13 straight seasons . . . Miguel Tejada's home run off Hideki Okajima was his first since June 12 . . . When Kevin Garnett threw out the ceremonial first pitch, he wore No. 5, last worn by Nomar Garciaparra. When Tiki Barber, formerly of the New York Giants, threw out a first pitch a couple of weeks ago, he wore No. 21, which of course was Roger Clemens's old number . . . Coco Crisp walked a career-high four times, once intentionally. His previous high was two, which he'd done 11 times . . . Okajima's reaction to the Gagne acquisition: "I hope the burden on me will be lighter."