02:45 PM EDT on Thursday, April 7, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET -- The landscape of minor-league baseball changes more than the weather in New England. And this season isn't any different.

The Pawtucket Red Sox' Opening Day roster has only nine returning players from last season, a new manager and a different outlook.

With spring training now in the rear-view mirror, most of the PawSox' players are getting accustomed to their new surroundings, and manager Ron Johnson is in the wait-and-see mode.

After only a couple of workouts at McCoy Stadium, the team left for Indianapolis yesterday, and will begin the season against the Indians (the Pittsburgh Pirates' new Triple-A affiliate) at 3 p.m. today. The game will be aired by Cox Sports Television, and also will be offered as a video Webcast on MLB.com, Redsox.com and minorleaguebaseball.com.

Curt Schilling will be on the mound for Pawtucket as the Boston right-hander continues to rehab his right ankle. As for the lineup, there still are a lot of early question marks.

"I've got to tell you," said catcher Kelly Shoppach, "when we walked into the clubhouse [at McCoy on Monday], we did that perfectly. Then we went to our lockers and we looked like we knew what we were doing. We were on time, and so far we look like we have a chance. Really, we haven't had a lot of time [to get acquainted].

"We have a lot of good players who have to figure out how to play with each other to be successful. There's a learning curve, a growth period that every team has to go through. You battle through the misery of the cold weather the first month, you learn a little bit about the guys, and hopefully by the time the weather warms up a little bit you've found a way to jell together. There's an uncertainty, but we have a lot of good players and we'll be fine."

The team will have a good mix -- veterans with major-league experience and a handful of prospects.

"We have a lot of interchangeable parts," said Johnson. "We have a lot of guys who can play a lot of different spots. So don't be surprised to see 25 different lineups in the first 25 days. I think that's a good situation because it will keep everybody on this team prepared, so if they get a chance to go to the big leagues they will have some flexibility. It's going to work out good."

The roster likely will change throughout the season, and Johnson plans to give each player an opportunity.

The area that Johnson and pitching coach Mike Griffin are happiest about is the starting rotation, which is solid.

After Schilling completes his rehab start today, the PawSox' bullpen will finish the game. Tomorrow, the regular rotation will kick in. Left-hander Abe Alvarez (10-9, 3.59 E.R.A. with Portland and 0-1, 9.00 with Boston last season) is slated to be the club's No. 1 starter.

Right-hander and major-league veteran Jeremi Gonzalez (4-2, 3.97 with Durham and 0-5, 6.97 with Tampa) will follow Alvarez. Southpaw Lenny DiNardo, who worked 22 games in relief for Boston last season, will be third in the rotation while PawSox veteran right-hander and Olympic silver medalist (for Australia) John Stephens (9-6, 4.47) will fill the fourth spot. Lefty newcomer Chris Narveson (5-10, 4.16 for Tennessee last season) is the other pitcher in the rotation.

"I'm excited," said Griffin. "We have the veterans of Gonzalez and Stephens, along with our younger pitchers in Alvarez, DiNardo and Narveson. I would like to see Jeremi and John set the tone for those three other guys. We're going to have our growing pains and we'll have our streaks of being good in the rotation. A hot start would be a good boost for our pitching staff."

Right-hander Tim Kester will have the role of long reliever. The 33-year-old was the club's top starter in 2004, posting a 12-11 record and a 4.20 E.R.A. even though he began the season in the bullpen.

"It's not a bad thing that he's going to the bullpen," said Griffin. "It will enhance his stock and enhances his chances of getting to Boston. We know he can start, now we want to see him in a relief role. I think it's a great move for Timmy."

Joining Kester in the bullpen will be right-handers Tim Bausher, Scott Cassidy and Jack Cressend, along with left-handers Jason Kershner, Mark Malaska and Juan Perez.

Shoppach will catch most of

the games. Jeff Bailey and Shawn Wooten will be backup catchers and infielders. Returning Justin Sherrod and George Lombard will be joined by Chip Ambres and Mike Lockwood.

Dave Berg, Luis Figueroa, Tim Hummel, Alejandro Machado and Mike Moriarty are the club's infielders.

At some point, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is at Double-A Portland, will make his Triple-A debut with Pawtucket.

Outfielder Billy McMillon (shoulder), first baseman Roberto Petagine (knee), infielder Kenny Perez (hip) and left-hander Phil Seibel (elbow surgery) are on the disabled list.

"It's difficult to make evaluations on anybody at this point," said PawSox hitting coach Mark Budaska. "You just have to go out there and make sure everyone is prepared properly."