01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, April 29, 2004

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Basking in the sunshine at Fenway Park yesterday afternoon, Byung-Hyun Kim played long toss in preparation for his first start of the season.

The right-handed submarine pitcher will start Game 1 of today's day/night doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and is expected to throw 75 pitches. Tim Wakefield, who missed his start due to Tuesday's rainout, will relieve Kim, who suffered a right-shoulder strain at the end of spring training.

"I'm looking forward to this," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "There may be some rust; hopefully there won't be. He's pitched some innings, just not here. I think he's going to be better equipped to do better than he did last year because he feels better."

He threw 60 pitches for the Pawtucket Red Sox Saturday and worked a bullpen session here Monday. Originally, his rehab start was slated for Double-A Portland today, but because of the rainout, it made more sense to work him here. Since Kim will be activiated today , the Sox optioned lefty Phil Seibel to Double-A Portland.

"Going through rehab is the hardest thing for a player," said Kim, with the help of his interpreter. "Because you see the team playing, and you want to go out there and help out. But, you have to hold back and go through each step to get better."

The Sox acquired Kim from the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielder Shea Hillenbrand on May 29, 2003. Kim finished his first season in Boston with an 8-5 record, 3.18 E.R.A and 16 saves. He's hoping to improve on those numbers this season, and today will be his first test.

"I'm not going to hold back [today]," he said. "I'm going to give it everything that I have. I can't predict what is going to happen, and if I give up a hit and a run I'm not going to worry about it."

Improving a good thing

Unlike a season ago, this year's version of the Sox' bullpen is well equipped with an arsenal of strong arms. Before last night's game, the bullpen recorded 24 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings over the previous eight games. In its last 10 games, the 'pen has registered a 0.31 E.R.A while allowing only one run on eight hits.

Soon, that pitching corps will improve dramatically.

When Kim is deemed healthy, Francona intends to make him the club's fifth starter. Therefore, Bronson Arroyo will be relocated to the 'pen.

"He will vastly improve it," said the Sox' skipper. "He'll allow other guys to rest, and he's a really good pitcher, and he's really going to make our bullpen better."

Arroyo has proved he can produce in any role he's given. His versatility will be key for the staff. At some point before the end of the season, it's likely he'll be back in the rotation.

"I'm glad that they feel that way," said Arroyo. "I'm comfortable in the bullpen because of last year, so it's not a big deal going back and forth. The only difference is if you're in the pen a little too long, you can get a little out of shape as far as starting."

Arroyo was originally slated to begin the season in the bullpen, but when Kim suffered a shoulder strain at the end of spring training, Arroyo was put into the rotation. In four games, including three starts, he's 0-1 with a 5.79 E.R.A. and has allowed 15 runs (12 earned) on 23 hits. Depending on how Kim fares today, it's quite possible Arroyo's start tomorrow against the Texas Rangers will be his last for a while.

"I'd rather stay in the rotation all year," he said. "Who wouldn't? I know some guys have been in the pen for so long they don't want to start, but for a younger guy like me, who has pretty much started his whole career, obviously I want to be in the rotation as much as possible. But, we'll see what happens."

A Nomar sighting

Boston's ailing shortstop Nomar Garciaparra continued his rehab yesterday afternoon at Fenway Park. He suffered a strained Achilles tendon during spring training and hasn't played since. On Tuesday he took ground balls, and yesterday he completed a 12-minute running program with a team trainer. During that time, he ran eight light sprints from the right-field foul line to the warning track in front of the left-field wall. Then he ran backwards until he reached the outfield grass behind second base, turned and walked back the rest of the way. He even took time to wave to a group of fans taking a stadium tour.

"It's happening slow," said Francona. "But, he is getting better and he has to be patient when you don't want to be patient."

Garciaparra will take more ground balls today, and when the club goes on the road tomorrow, he'll go back to therapy for the weekend and be reevaluated on Monday. If he can remain pain-free, he'll increase his workload.

Nixon taking swings

After Trot Nixon competed in an extended spring training game on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with a walk and hit by pitch, he did not travel with the team to Sarasota yesterday. Instead, he stayed behind and participated in live batting practice. He's expected to play again today and serve as the designated hitter and play a couple of innings in the field.

Boston starter Curt Schilling took a line drive off his foot in the first inning, and if that didn't freak him out, you would figure the fan that charged the mound in the sixth inning would. Well, that was not the case. Security tackled the fan before he could reach Schilling, but the pitcher wasn't phased by the situation.

"I didn't know whether to high-five him, or close line him," laughed Schilling. "It was a good tackle. But, when I have Tex catching, I'm not worried about anyone reaching the mound. That was a first time for me, though."