01:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 30, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Curt Schilling finished his spring work yesterday with a truncated four-inning outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates and admitted he's unsure of what to expect from himself when the regular season begins Monday.

"Like I said earlier in the spring," Schilling said, "it's been two years since I've been that guy I was. Until I go out and do what I did before, there are a lot of questions. And I don't think many of my questions will be answered until the season starts."

Schilling's fastball was between 91-92 mph most of the time, though he occasionally touched 94. He was pleased with his split-finger (84 mph), and with his changeup, a pitch he's relying on more this season.

But still, uncertainty lingers. After his ankle surgery following his 2004 postseason heroics, Schilling never was himself last year. Opposing batters hit .314 off him, and the 5.69 E.R.A. was the highest of his major-league career.

His ankle has been fine, and his arm strength has been impressive. But nonetheless, he wonders.

"I want to believe that physically I can be what I was," he said, "if not better because I feel like I've added some things, and mentally I'm better. (But) until you go out and it counts, you can think all you want. I'm human, so I want to see myself get it done."

Schilling gave up two runs in four innings while throwing 67 pitches in a game the Sox won, 3-2. He met with Pittsburgh manager Jim Tracy on the field before the game, but said the two didn't talk about the incident earlier this month when Schilling hit Pirates outfielder Chris Duffy in the head.

"Just wishing each other luck," explained Schilling.

Manny flashes leather

Manny Ramirez had a rough afternoon at the plate (0-for-3 with a strikeout), but more than made up for it with two sterling plays in left field.

Ramirez leaned over the rail to snare a foul popup by Jeromy Burnitz in the third, then went crashing into a wall to make a leaping grab off Jason Bay in the fifth.

"He does work in the outfield," said manager Terry Francona. "I think that's sometimes overlooked."

Choi hobbled

Hee Seop Choi's strained left hamstring is not considered serious, though it's unlikely he'll play in the next few days.

Choi felt the hamstring grab some before Tuesday night's game in Sarasota, then felt it tighten further during the game yesterday. He came out in the late innings.

Choi underwent treatment yesterday by the training staff.

Rehab for Kapler

Outfielder Gabe Kapler, who will start the season on the 60-day DL as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, will travel to Boston tomorrow to begin rehab work with therapist Scott Waugh.

Kapler isn't contractually eligible to play for the Sox until May 1 because the team didn't tender him a contract last winter, but that's moot since Kapler probably is two months, at the minimum, away from being cleared.

Francona said yesterday that Kapler has begun some light mobility work, but can't run yet.

When will hammer fall?

The Sox have not heard anything from Major League Baseball regarding possible disciplinary action against Julian Tavarez. MLB is having difficulty finding videotape of the incident since the game wasn't televised.

The club expects that some word will come down before Monday's opener. One guess: Tavarez likely will be suspended for five or six games.

Living dangerously

Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless inning, though he was hit around some after leaving some changeups up in the strike zone. Foulke will pitch this afternoon against the Reds, then again Saturday in Philadelphia.

Pawtucket-bound

Enrique Wilson will accept his assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket with hopes of rejoining the Boston Red Sox during the season.

"I don't have a choice," the utility infielder said yesterday. "If something happens or somebody gets hurt, I think I'm going to be (in Boston) but I've got to wait and go to Pawtucket and work hard and wait for my chance."

Wilson appeared in 15 games with just 22 at bats last year for the Chicago Cubs but played all four infield positions. He signed with the Red Sox during the offseason as a non-roster player but his contract does not allow him to choose free agency rather than go to the minors. In 17 exhibition games, he's batting .278 with one homer and four RBI.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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