Fast fact: .105 (10 for 95) with two strikes worst average in the AL; 50 starts for Padres/Sox in ’06 most since 2001. Lowdown: Mirabelli, given an only-in-Boston hero’s welcome back last May, was humbled when his salary was slashed nearly in half this winter. He showed up in much better shape, and spared Tim Wakefield a repeat of last spring’s hideous audition to find another catcher who could handle the knuckleball. He’s become the ultimate niche player, but he needs to offer a little more offense than last season’s .191.