BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox received some good news last night for a change -- sort of.

Pitcher Jonathan Papelbon had an arthrogram MRI on his sore right shoulder yesterday and the club released the results during the sixth inning of last night's game against the White Sox.

The statement from team medical director Thomas Gill said: "Jonathan Papelbon continues to improve each day. Recent examination and testing are consistent with a transient subluxation event in the setting of a fatigued shoulder. After a period of rest, he will begin a shoulder strengthening program."

Gill said the shoulder had slipped slightly without becoming dislocated.

It's not known if the right-hander will be able to pitch again this season.

There is good news, however, as the MRI showed no structural damage.

"The news was a huge relief," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I was thrilled. . . . As far as timetables, we really don't have one."

Papelbon said he felt a "stinger sensation" during his last outing on Saturday and was immediately taken out of the game. He said last night he's day-to-day and called his situation a slow process.

"My immediate reaction was 'Thank God,' " he said. "Labrium tears are tough to come back from."

The shoulder joint came out temporarily due to fatigue in his shoulder, and if not taken seriously, the problem could persist.

"It can happen again," he said. "Now I need to concentrate on keeping my shoulder strong."

Will you be back on the mound again this season?

I'm pretty positive I will," said Papelbon. "But, I'm not going to rush it."

Francona met with the team's medical staff prior to last night's game to "dissect" the situation, and even though the club is downplaying the situation as minor fatigue, this could realistically shut Papelbon down for the remainder of the season.

He is 4-2 with a 0.92 E.R.A with 35 saves in 59 appearances for the Red Sox this season.

A happy return

As David Ortiz began to put his uniform on yesterday afternoon, he was sporting a T-shirt that said "It's a strong man's game." The Red Sox slugger was back in the lineup after missing the last eight games due to heart palpitations, which were thought to be caused by fatigue and stress.

"I'm happy to be back playing," he said. "It's a little crazy watching the game on TV. Sometimes when you come back like this, you try to overdo things. It doesn't work, and everybody has to do things they aren't supposed to do. I know in the season, when you stop playing, it takes a minute to get your rhythm back."

Ortiz said he's not on any medication, and thinks his symptoms were caused by a pulled muscle that occurred on a swing.

"The most important thing is that it's not related to anything in the heart," he said. "Anybody can pull a muscle at any time. I pulled a muscle on a swing, I guess. I'm not sure. The first time it happened I never got rid of it. Now I'm not feeling it. I haven't felt it in a long time."

He went 0-for-3 with a walk in his return last night.

Trying time for Hansen

It was only a few weeks ago that Francona said he was concerned about young reliever Craig Hansen.

The hard-throwing right-hander was sent to the minors on Aug. 26 to clear his head and regain some confidence. His stint with the PawSox was brief, and with Pawtucket's season over, Hansen was recalled to Boston yesterday. Francona is hoping the time away from the big club helped the 22-year-old prospect.

"I hope he was able to take a deep breath mentally," said the manager. "I think he was fried, by his own admission."

The skipper said the organization was excited about having Hansen and fellow prospect Manny Delcarmen in the bullpen. The pair contributed to the team late last season and earlier this year. But as veteran pitchers around them started to break down, the youngsters began to have some difficulties of their own.

"We weren't able to protect them at a time when they needed to be protected," said Francona. "We keep heaping more on them, and it kind of almost overwhelmed [Hansen] a little bit. He needed a breather and we gave it to him."

Hansen was told by Francona that he will be used a lot down the stretch, hoping he can end the season in a positive manner.

During Hansen's recent stint in Pawtucket he worked with Jason Varitek, who was rehabbing his knee, and those conversations likely will continue here.

"I think everyone here, including myself, thinks this guy is going to be a mainstay in our bullpen," said Francona. "Those types of guys aren't easy to find."

While in Pawtucket, Hansen said his first full calendar year as a pro has been a difficult and trying time, admitting he's using this adversity as a learning tool.

Hansen is 1-1 for Boston this season, with a 6.60 E.R.A. in 32 games (33 innings), 26 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Mum on Lester

There was no update on rookie pitcher Jon Lester, who was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma late last week.

"I'm in the position to be as respectful as I can to the family," said Francona. "I understand the thirst for information, because that's what Boston is with anything to do with the Red Sox. But out of respect to the family and Jon, nothing is coming from me."

Schilling still out

There also was no update on Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, who was scratched from his start on Monday due to a strained latissimus muscle. Prior to yesterday's game, Francona hadn't spoken with his ace about his status, but Schilling will not pitch in what would have been his next scheduled start, on Saturday. The Sox' rotation now includes Josh Beckett, Kason Gabbard (last night's starter), Kyle Snyder (tonight's starter), Kevin Jarvis (Friday) and Julian Tavarez.

Around the bases

Keith Foulke's back continues to tighten up on him, causing Francona to be cautious when he wants to use the right-handed reliever. . . . The Red Sox completed their trade for David Wells yesterday, acquiring catcher George Kottaras from the Padres. The 23-year-old was added to the Sox' 40-man roster and assigned to Double-A Portland.

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