BOSTON -- The surgery to repair torn cartilage in Jason Varitek's left knee was described as successful yesterday morning, and the Red Sox captain and catcher can begin rehab immediately.

He injured the knee rounding second base on Monday and was removed from the game and subsequently placed on the 15-day disabled list. The surgery was performed by Red Sox medical director Dr. Thomas Gill at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Boston manager Terry Francona called and left a message for his captain early yesterday.

"I read the release and it said the surgery was successful," said Francona. "I love that, that's my favorite line. Not to make light of it, but I guess if you die on the table, then it's unsuccessful. I've never heard of an unsuccessful surgery; that just cracks me up. [Seriously] it went real well and I have not heard of a timetable."

Varitek will miss 4-6 weeks, but won't be too far away from his teammates as they battle for A.L. East supremacy.

He won't travel with the team on its trip to Tampa Bay and Kansas City, but will likely be with the team the rest of the way. Scott Waugh, who is the Red Sox rehabilitation coordinator and also the physical therapist for the Boston Bruins, will work closely with Varitek, who is hitting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI in 85 games this season.

Clement gets more time off

The Red Sox brass, the medical staff and right-hander Matt Clement (shoulder strain) met for a while on Wednesday night and decided it was best the ailing starter take the next three weeks off. The Sox are hoping that by completely shutting down for a longer stretch it will enable Clement to start from scratch when he returns and be strong enough to pitch. A possible return to the lineup, however, might not occur until late September.

"I know that doesn't necessarily help us," said Francona. "But that's probably the best way. If the season is over, he goes home healthy."

Clement told the Sox he had a similar problem a few years ago while he was with the Cubs and this tactic seemed to work.

"When he went out and threw, he wasn't satisfied," said Francona. "So, we're kind of stuck. . . . Taking three weeks off can put the season in jeopardy for him, but at the same time you can't ask somebody to pitch if they can't pitch. We just want to make the best decision."

Clement is 5-5 with a 6.61 E.R.A. in 12 starts for the Sox this season.

Foulke starts for PawSox

Red Sox reliever Keith Foulke (right-elbow tendonitis) made a rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox last night and threw one inning (18 pitches, 10 for strikes) with two strikeouts and one walk.

The right-hander was originally scheduled to start for the PawSox last Sunday before he experienced tightness in his lower back while warming up, which forced him not to throw for three days.

He is slated to pitch again for the PawSox tomorrow, and could possibly throw a two-inning stint on Monday. If he doesn't toss two innings on Monday, he'll work one inning on back-to-back days. He's been on the DL since June 12. In 29 relief appearances, he's 2-1 with a 5.63 E.R.A. this season.

Lowell injured

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell was taken out of the game in the eighth inning after he fouled a pitch off his foot in the seventh inning.

After the game, Francona said Lowell was having trouble pushing off and that's why he had Alex Cora pinch-hit for catcher Ken Huckaby in the eighth inning. Cora went to third and Doug Mirabelli was inserted behind the plate.

A scan during the game didn't immediately reveal anything, according to Francona, but Lowell did travel with the club to Tampa and will be reexamined today.

"He's going to be sore," said the manager.

Around the bases

Red Sox reliever Lenny DiNardo had MRIs taken yesterday on his neck and arm and was expected to receive the results during last night's game. He's been on the DL since May 24 with nerve damage, which is a result from a bulging disk. The left-hander has been playing long toss and said he's getting better. . . . Fellow reliever Manny Delcarmen said his sore right thumb is getting better even though there is slight strain of the ligaments on the inside of his hand. The right-hander is still able to pitch.

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