01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, March 29, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The spring-long saga involving Tony Graffanino came to an end yesterday when he was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, the team that dealt him to the Red Sox last July.

The waiver claim saved the Red Sox just over $500,000. Had they been unable to deal Graffanino before today, the club would likely have released him, costing them one-quarter of the infielder's non-guaranteed $2.05 million contract.

The Sox had been trying, without success, to deal him elsewhere since December when he became a spare part in the aftermath of the acquisition of Mark Loretta from San Diego.

"I think this is good for him," said Boston manager Terry Francona.

Graffanino was obtained from the Royals last summer after Mark Bellhorn suffered a thumb injury. Graffanino hit .319 in 51 games. His critical error in Game Two of the ALDS against the White Sox helped seal the Red Sox' playoff fate.

"I'm glad it worked out for me," Graffanino told MLB.com yesterday. "It was a bad situation for me [with the Red Sox]. Now I'll get some playing time and be able to contribute."

It's unlikely, however, that Graffanino will be a starter with the Royals. Kansas City signed Mark Grudzielanek to play second, while Mark Teahen is the started at third base.

Ironically, to help make room for Graffanino on the roster, the Royals designated outfielder Chip Ambres for assignment. Ambres was one of two players sent to Kansas City last July to acquire Graffanino.

2 relievers off to Pawtucket

The Sox optioned relievers Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen to Pawtucket yesterday.

The Sox will have specific instructions for Hansen's use, as they believe his development won't be helped by having him serve a one-inning closer's role.

"We want to have him use all his pitches," said Francona. "He found out here you need to throw more than one pitch. We want him to throw multiple innings. The more the ball is in his hand, the better he's going to get."

Hansen appeared in 10 Grapefruit League games, spanning 10 2/3 innings and was unscored upon, giving up just five hits.

Tavarez not suspended, yet

The Sox didn't hear anything from Major League Baseball regarding any possible disciplinary action regarding Julian Tavarez. Tavarez was ejected from a game Monday when he slugged Tampa Bay outfielder Joey Gathright after a collision at home plate.

"He's a real likeable kid," insisted Francona. "It's important to support people because they're on your team. You just try to talk to people and do the best you can. He's not a bad kid. He just gets a little over-excited."

Francona said it "wouldn't surprise me," if Tavarez gets suspended. If that happens, it won't affect the team's roster in the early going, thanks to an 11-man staff and two off-days in the first eight days of the schedule.

"You always have the right to appeal," the manager said. "We'll have to wait and see what comes down."

Clement pleased with outing

You might not have been able to tell from the line score -- 5 1/3 innings pitched, six hits allowed, four earned runs given up -- but starter Matt Clement said last night's outing was "the first time I felt like the way I want to throw since I've been in a Red Sox uniform."

Clement had limited the Reds to two runs through the first five innings before tiring in the sixth, when he allowed four more.

"That's about as good as I've felt," Clement said. "I threw my sinker and slider and I can't really remember throwing any bad sinkers. I feel better now -- physically and how the ball comes out of my hand -- than I did at any point last year."

Francona concurred.

"His ball was explosive," said Francona. "It was moving. I noticed it, the [home plate] umpire said it. I was thrilled. He threw the [heck] out of the ball."

Ramirez, Cora, Crisp homer

The Sox dropped a 10-5 decision to the Cincinnati Reds last night, with Manny Ramirez and Alex Cora accounting for four of the five runs. Ramirez had a solo homer and a sacrifice fly and Cora had a solo homer and an RBI-single.

Coco Crisp added a solo homer in the ninth to close out the scoring. Crisp also stole his eighth base of the spring in the first inning.

Around the bases

The Sox will face former teammate Bronson Arroyo tomorrow in their final Florida game. "I know I'm going to be jacked up," said Arroyo. Traded to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena last week, Arroyo is set to be the Reds' No. 2 starter this season. . . . First baseman Hee Seop Choi suffered a strained left hamstring and had to leave the game. He will be reevaluated today.

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