KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Boston second baseman Mark Loretta had to leave the game when the Sox took the field for the bottom of the fifth inning because of a bruised left elbow.

Loretta was hit on the elbow by a pitch in his fifth-inning at-bat. He clearly was in pain after being struck and was attended to by trainer Paul Lessard with manager Terry Francona checking things out, too. Loretta stayed in the game, ultimately stranded at third base.

But he was replaced by Alex Cora in the field.

The injury did not appear to be serious -- the Sox called it a bruise -- but he was taken to the hospital for x-rays after the game.

The injuries keep adding up for the Sox. Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Keith Foulke and Matt Clement are on the disabled list, and Doug Mirabelli (sprained left ankle) and Mike Lowell (bruised left foot) are hobbled, too.

Wallace back

Dave Wallace, who had hip replacement surgery June 1, was healthy enough to resume his duties as pitching coach last night.

Wallace felt strong enough to be able to go to the mound to talk with pitchers during a game. That was part of the consideration in his being able to assume the responsibilities of the job. This is the first road trip Wallace has made this season.

Al Nipper, who had been moved from his job as bullpen coach to serve as interim pitching coach during spring training, will remain with the team for now as will Ralph Treuel, who took over Nipper's duties as bullpen coach during camp.

Francona was hoping to get permission from Major League Baseball for both Nipper and Treuel to remain in uniform during games. The rule is that six coaches can be dressed during games, but frequently exceptions are made, with the opposition's approval.

Francona said the changes would only make the team stronger in the pitching-coaching department. He insisted that, knowing Wallace, Nipper and Treuel, egos weren't going to get in the way.

Batting order changes

Coco Crisp remained at the top of the batting order last night even though Lowell returned to the starting lineup.

Crisp had been moved up from near the bottom of order to first for the three games on the road against Tampa Bay because Lowell (bruised left foot) wasn't able to play. Kevin Youkilis dropped from first to fifth in Lowell's absence as protection for No. 3 and 4 hitters David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, respectively.

Lowell had hit fifth for four games in the absence of injured Nixon, and had gone 2-for-16 with zero RBI.

"I don't want anybody to walk David and Manny and not pay the price or feel that they won't be paying the price. I think Youk can handle that responsibility," said Francona of his decision to leave Youkilis fifth and Crisp first, despite Lowell's return.

"I like Youk hitting first a lot, but when you lose people you have to make some changes to stretch out your lineup, and we think this is the best possible way to do it," said Francona.

Wakefield 'chomping at bit'

Wakefield (rib fracture) was playing catch from a distance of 120 feet yesterday and, as Francona said, is "chomping at the bit" to return. But Francona said it's likely to be two weeks at the earliest before the knuckleballer can return to the rotation, though he admitted that timetable might be a tad optimistic.

Francona said it's possible Wakefield could start throwing off a mound next Monday.

The manager also said that Varitek (knee surgery) and Nixon (biceps strain) continue to improve but still aren't close to returning.

Mirabelli improving

Mirabelli's sprained left ankle has improved enough that Francona thinks he might be able to catch tomorrow night's road trip finale.

That would give Javy Lopez two straight starts and not wear him down, considering his light workload behind the plate for the Orioles before being obtained by Boston last week. If Mirabelli isn't physically able to play tomorrow night, it's likely Corky Miller will get the start. If Mirabelli is able to catch, Miller may become a roster casualty tomorrow.

Huckay joins the PawSox

Another catcher who started a game for Boston last week, Ken Huckaby, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Pawtucket yesterday. Huckaby, who started last Thursday's game against Cleveland, was designated for assignment the next day.

The Sox have had six different starting catchers this season, the most since they featured seven in 1951 -- Les Moss (53 games), Buddy Rosar (44), Aaron Robinson (23), Mike Guerra (10), Matt Batts (9), Al Evans (7) and Sammy White (4). Boston's research still is trying to find out to whom the other four starts should be credited.

Foulke still in rehab

Foulke was expected to pitch an inning last night and an inning today for Pawtucket in Rochester. He's likely to be activated from the disabled list on Friday when the Sox return to Fenway Park for a series-opener against Baltimore.

No regrets from Snyder

Kyle Snyder returned to Kauffman Stadium yesterday, a place he called home in parts of three different seasons for the Royals. This time, though, the right-hander arrived as a member of an opposing team, the Red Sox.

Snyder, the Royals' first-round pick (seventh overall) in 1997 whose arm surgeries caused him to miss two full seasons, had been claimed on waivers by the Sox. He harbored no hard feelings.

"I'm not looking to come in here with an 'I'll show you attitude,' " said Snyder. "That was just business. I'm not taking it personally. I'm just happy I have the opportunity now to pitch for a team that's in a pennant race."

Around the bases

Ramirez extended his career-high hitting streak to 23 games with a double in the fourth inning. . . . Lopez snapped an 0-for-11 start with the Sox by lining a two-out single to center in the fourth. He had been 0-for-15 overall, counting his last four at-bats with the Orioles.

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