01:58 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 25, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Over the weekend, the Red Sox indicated they would wait to see what sort of workload Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling experienced here before determining when rookie Kason Gabbard would get his next start.

The feeling was that if Beckett -- last night's starter -- and Schilling -- slated to go tonight -- had high pitch counts, they might benefit from getting an extra day of rest following Thursday's off-day.

But even before Beckett took the mound last night, the Sox made the determination that both veterans would be ready to take their regular turn.

That means that Jon Lester will open the homestand Friday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, followed by Beckett and Schilling, with Gabbard skipped.

Gabbard won't be utilized in relief as he waits for his next start, as the Sox are cognizant of the fact that the rookie has undergone four surgeries on his left elbow. They don't want him pitching in a role in which he's not accustomed.

Wells almost there

David Wells threw five innings in a simulated game yesterday, and if Wells responds well today and the next few days, he could be the Sox' starter Monday night against Cleveland.

Officially, manager Terry Francona was noncommittal about the plans for Wells.

"He's a little tired," he said after Wells' outing. "We'll see how he bounces back (today) and go from there. But he fielded his position. Guys bunted on him and he moved around well."

Originally, Wells was set to make a rehab appearance or two for a minor-league affiliate, but the Sox have been so impressed with the life in his arm that they don't want to waste a start in the minor leagues.

Foulke making strides

Wells wasn't the only pitcher taking the field early at McAfee Coliseum. Reliever Keith Foulke, who has been sidelined the last two months with elbow soreness, threw two innings of a simulated game.

Foulke has been making some adjustments to his delivery to reduce stress on his elbow.

"I'm trying to straighten out my stride," he said, "and go more to the plate. I'm trying to make my arm longer (in his release) and keep it away from my head."

Foulke threw about 30 pitches and said he was satisfied with the quality of his pitches and their velocity.

"They were putting the bat on the ball," he said of Alex Cora , Gabe Kapler and a recent Red Sox draft pick. "(The velocity) was definitely as good as before (he went on the DL). Everything went very well, but my control was a little erratic."

Foulke is scheduled to throw again tomorrow morning before the Sox play the final game of their six-game road trip.

A sniff of the big time

Yesterday was a heady day for 18-year-old Lars Anderson , selected in the 18th round of the amateur draft last month.

Anderson, a first baseman from nearby Carmichael, Calif., a suburb of Sacramento, has a scholarship at the University of California. He has until the first day of classes next month to sign with the Sox or head to Berkeley.

Anderson hit against Wells and Foulke in their simulated games, and later spent time in the Sox' clubhouse.

Around the bases

Wily Mo Pena was the choice in right field last with lefty Barry Zito on the mound for Oakland. . . . Mike Timlin 's appearance Sunday was the 932nd of his career, moving him past Gene Garber into 15th place on the all-time list...Ramirez now has a 10-game hitting streak, during which he’s hitting .417 (15-for-36) with three homers and 11 RBI…In their time together as teammates, Ramirez and David Ortiz have homered in the same game 41 times. The Sox are 36-5 in those games.

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