YOUKILIS

BOSTON — Manny Ramirez wants everyone in Red Sox Nation to know that everything is just fine with teammate Kevin Youkilis.

The two were involved in a scrum in the dugout during Thursday’s game and needed to be separated. Yesterday, Youkilis quickly made his way out of the clubhouse, trying to avoid the media.

“It was nothing,” said Youkilis. “It’s over. It’s a new day.”

Moments later, Ramirez walked into the middle of the clubhouse and answered every question he was asked about the situation.

“It was just a misunderstanding,” he said. “Even in the best family, you find stuff like that. It’s done. It’s over with. We got it straightened out.”

Ramirez wouldn’t discuss exactly what started it, and said the two still haven’t talked about it, but said everything is just fine. ESPN Desportes reported that Ramirez confronted Youkilis about his habit of throwing equipment after making outs at the plate, which most players see as a selfish act, and Youkilis took exception.

“It’s in the past and we’re going to move on,” Ramirez said. “It’s a new day.”

Manager Terry Francona downplayed the incident during his daily briefing.

“We had a lot of emotions in the clubhouse,” said Francona. “A lot of things happen on a team that are not seen. I’m not saying we’re trying to promote this, but it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes you’re better off for it. Things like that happen and we try to handle them and move on.”

Ramirez sits it out

Ramirez, who tweaked his leg during an at-bat late in Thursday’s game, was not in last night’s starting lineup against the Seattle Mariners. His right knee and hamstring were tight so Francona shifted his batting order, which already was missing DH David Ortiz (wrist, on the DL). Mike Lowell (fourth) and Youkilis (fifth) each moved up a spot with Sean Casey batting sixth and serving as the DH.

Brandon Moss, who was recalled from the PawSox Thursday night when Chris Carter was sent down, played left field last night.

Francona was hopeful that Ramirez will be able to return to the lineup today.

Close call for Ellsbury

Rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who suffered a strained right wrist while making a spectacular diving catch Thursday night, escaped serious injury and could be back in the lineup in the next few days.

Francona said Ellsbury underwent an MRI yesterday morning, and “everything came back really clean.”

“I think he’s excited, relieved,” said Francona. “Tom (team physician Thomas Gill) said he might even be available to pinch-run (last night). I don’t think we’re going to do that until he’s ready to hit, but I don’t think it will be very long before (he can return to the lineup).”

“It looked bad,” said Francona of the tumbling catch. “When I got out there, I think he thought it was bad. We all saw him bend (the wrist) backwards. But there’s no break and no ligament (damage). Nothing. So that’s good.”

Dice-K gets set to roll

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been on the disabled list since May 30 because of a mild right-rotator cuff strain, has been cleared to begin throwing. The right-hander, who had to leave his May 27 start after four innings because of shoulder discomfort, will play catch on flat ground today. He will be reevaluated after that session. There is no timetable as to when he will begin throwing off the mound.

More progress for Schilling

Curt Schilling’s rehabilitation road is a long run, with lots of stops along the way. Schilling must measure his progress in incremental steps.

“If you add up the days I’ve been doing this,” he said, “I’ve won every one. That’s how I have to look at it. I got through today; I’m able to think in a 24-hour box. But I don’t get caught up in any of this. I’ve got to win tomorrow.”

Yesterday’s victory came in the form of a pain-free 35-pitch effort off the mound, his second in the last few days.

“It went well,” reported Schilling. “From a mechanical standpoint, I’ve just fallen back into it very easy. Physically, I’ve been very free and easy and fluid.”

Following some long-toss tomorrow, next up for Schilling is 40-pitch mound session on Tuesday. After that, he will graduate to facing some hitters in 15-pitch innings.

While yesterday’s mound session was the second in which he threw only fastballs, Schilling said he has already thrown some breaking balls on the side, without incident.

“At some point,” he said, “I’m going to have to start spending some bullets in my warmup sessions. As soon as there are hitters in the box, that will be my first competitive situation.”

smcadam@projo.com