01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, February 21, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Wells , rehabbing from offseason surgery to his right knee, played catch for about 15 minutes yesterday.

As he left the field and walked into the clubhouse for further treatment, photographers were snapping away. With a smile, he playfully partially covered one lens with his glove as he continued walking.

Manager Terry Francona said Wells will continue to work at his own pace until his knee allows him back on the field for drills and throwing sessions.

Wells, of course, has asked for a trade. While Francona says he doesn't know if that will come about, the manager said he had had a good talk with the veteran left-hander and didn't think Wells was using his request as a way to get out of work.

"He's doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing," said Francona. "He's not fudging out on his work."

Hoping for a breakthrough

One group throwing off the mound was an all-lefty crew -- Phil Seibel , Mike Holtz , Lenny DiNardo , Craig Breslow and Mike Bumatay . The Sox do not have a proven lefty out of the bullpen on board.

For Seibel, it was his first work off the mound since July 2004. Since then, he has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and further surgery to re-route a ligament in the elbow. Seibel, 27, fought the urge to throw too hard to impress.

"It was exciting to be out there. It was nice. I was real happy I was able to stay calm," said Seibel, who had a two-game, 3 2/3-inning cup of coffee in Boston in 2004.

Around the horn

Curt Schilling was not on the field. His family was ill, Francona said, and Schilling seemed to be coming down with similar symptoms, so the right-hander did his work in the weight room and went home. . . . Keith Foulke 's first bullpen session went off without a hitch. . . . Trent Durring , an infielder by trade, donned the tools of ignorance and caught a bullpen session. . . . Newcomer Julian Tavarez threw to Jason Varitek in a get-to-know-you pairing. . . . Infield phenom Dustin Pedroia made his first appearance in camp. The rookie had an issue with his bats -- he ordered maple bats and his company shipped him bats made of ash. . . . Pawtucket-bound outfielders David Murphy and Brandon Moss worked out for the first time as did right fielder Trot Nixon . . . . There still was talk about whether Manny Ramirez would find his way to camp tomorrow for the first full-squad workout on Thursday, but no one seemed to know for sure. Technically, Ramirez -- and all players -- have until March 1 to report as per the Basic Agreement.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340