01:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 11, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Through the first three weeks of camp, there have been more theories about Keith Foulke than actual sightings of the relief pitcher.

As Foulke goes about his spring training at his own pace, and that pace tempered by some physical limitations stemming from last season's twin knee surgeries, there is talk of what the Red Sox options might be if Foulke is not healthy or effective enough to reclaim his role as closer.

Mostly, the speculation focuses on Jonathan Papelbon, who seems already squeezed out of a spot in the starting rotation. Similarly, it's generally agreed that newcomers Rudy Seanez, David Riske, and Julian Tavarez are unsuited -- either by temperament or stuff or both -- for the job.

Foulke senses this talk and, as he often does, appears bemused by it. Although he is minimally a week away from pitching in a game, the 33-year-old sees no reason to doubt he'll be set for the season-opener.

"I will be ready April 3 (when the 2006 Red Sox season opens against the Texas Rangers)," Foulke said yesterday. "That's a lifetime away."

This vow came after Foulke completed his first session against hitters this spring, an exercise that saw him throw 44 pitches in a simulated game on a back field. He threw fastballs, changeups, sliders and a few split-finger fastballs, the latter a spring experiment.

"I feel better now than I did at any point last year," Foulke said.

In truth, that wouldn't be difficult.

A stalwart in the Boston bullpen in 2004, particularly in the postseason, Foulke experienced his most disappointing and frustrating season in 2005. Following a poor first half, he was placed on the disabled list during the first week of July and underwent surgery on his right knee.

After a nearly two-month long rehab, he returned to the mound in September, but his performance was no better. In mid-September, he was shelved for the year and underwent a second surgery, this time on his left knee.

The knees remain problematic. Beginning last month, Foulke was given lubricant injections, a treatment that continues. Foulke, in fact, is scheduled to undergo another round of injections today.

But the procedure seems to be working. Foulke said he felt "vast improvement. I can bend down and pick up my kid without any pain," a simple task that was unthinkable not long ago.

Healthier knees should, in turn, help Foulke's mechanics, which were faulty last season and contributed to his four blown saves in 19 tries and his gaudy 5.91 E.R.A.

"I can get in position to drop and drive now," he said, recounting how he relied too much on his arm and not his legs last year. "It will be a lot different and a lot more effective."

Still, Foulke is being brought along at a deliberate pace. Yesterday, he toiled in relative anonymity, watched only by few minor-leaguers and coaches -- including pitching coach Al Nipper -- and a small crowd of reporters. While some veterans -- notably, Curt Schilling -- find it a challenge to perform in such an environment, Foulke seemed to almost relish it.

"All I need is a catcher, hitter and me," he said. "I don't need people in the stands. I don't need a big stadium and adrenaline. I don't need to drive to Bradenton (where the Sox will play the Pittsburgh Pirates today)."

The split-finger pitch has been added to provide another weapon, but Foulke will succeed or fail based on his ability to locate his fastball and counter it with his trademark changeup.

Last year, he couldn't command the fastball and didn't get enough separation between it and the changeup, which is almost a palm ball.

So content is Foulke to continue on his solitary comeback that he insisted yesterday he could adequately prepare for the season with as little as a single inning in Grapefruit League play.

Manager Terry Francona dismissed that possibility out of hand.

"We'd like to see him in more than one game," he said. "We'll get him in a game when we feel he's ready to do that in a positive way."

There, in game conditions, the Red Sox will be able to better judge whether Foulke has returned to full health and form.

"When you see people missing (against him)," Francona said, "that's a good indication that he's right."

Having not seen much of that last season, the Sox are hoping to see it soon.

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