Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp drills a double against the White Sox last night in the third inning of the opener of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

AP / Nam Y. Huh

CHICAGO — The Red Sox’ attempt to beef up their bench for the final seven weeks was short-circuited yesterday afternoon when San Diego Padres outfielder Brian Giles refused to approve a trade to the Sox.

Giles, who was claimed on waivers by the Sox on Wednesday, had a limited no-trade clause and could block a deal to any one of eight teams, including the Sox.

Boston had worked out a deal with the Padres, with the Sox set to send San Diego a low-level prospect and get some cash back from the Padres to help pay off Giles’ buyout on a 2009 option.

But Giles, citing personal reasons for not wanting to leave the San Diego area, made it known yesterday that he wouldn’t approve the deal.

Under waiver rules, the Sox and Padres had a 48-hour window in which to work out a deal. Time expired yesterday at 1:30 p.m.

The Sox’ interest in Giles was twofold. In addition to viewing him as someone who could provide outfield depth and a useful bat off the bench, the Sox could block him from going to the Tampa Bay Rays, who are also interested in acquiring a bat.

Youkilis remains in lineup

Kevin Youkilis returned to the lineup last night after being struck on the wrist palm in the first inning of Wednesday’s 8-2 win in Kansas City.

Youkilis saw manager Terry Francona in the hotel lobby Thursday afternoon and reported that his hand was much improved.

“Basically, it’s feeling a lot better,” said Youkilis. “It gets better by the day.”

Youkilis said the swelling had gone down considerably in the last two days.

He’s been hit nine times this season, the most of any Red Sox hitter.

“The way he hits,” said Francona, “and [the opposition’s] need to throw him inside [impacts that total]. And there’s been a lot of close calls, too [when Youkilis was nearly hit].”

Youkilis continues to man the cleanup spot for the Sox in the aftermath of the trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers.

“I go out there and play where they put me,” shrugged Youkilis. “It has no bearing on how I play. I just try to keep it simple.”

No inquiry into Ramirez situation

Major League Baseball’s investigation of the events preceding the trade of Ramirez appears perfunctory.

MLB, responding to some public criticism for its failure to address Ramirez’s apparent attempt to force his way off the Red Sox — and toward the free-agent market — by refusing to play and giving less than full effort at times, has spoken to some club officials, but it seems nothing much will come of the inquiry.

Crisp replaces Ellsbury in center

Despite five hits in the last two games and two stolen bases, Jacoby Ellsbury was not in the starting lineup last night. Coco Crisp, who came into last night with a career .375 average against White Sox starter Mark Buehrle, got the start in center and hit where Ellsbury has hit of late — ninth.

Francona didn’t sound like he was ready to put Ellsbury back into the leadoff spot anytime soon, although that’s the manager’s long-term goal.

“When I do it,” said Francona, “I want him to stay there. Plus, we’ve scored a lot of runs the way we have it [with Ellsbury at the bottom of the order].”

Meanwhile, J.D. Drew continued to man the leadoff spot. In the three games in Kansas City, Drew was 3-for-11 with two RBI, two runs scored and four walks. Last night, he was 0-for-3 but did walk and score a run.

Around the bases

As expected, David Aardsma was recalled from Pawtucket and activated. … Mike Lowell was hitless in four at-bat and is in the middle of a an 0-for-15 skid. …With the cross-town Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals in a weekend series at Wrigley Field, the city of Chicago featured baseball’s last three champions, spanning the last four seasons: The Red Sox (2004, 2007), the 2005 White Sox and the 2006 Cardinals. … Jason Bay collected a single in the eighth inning, extending his hitting streak to seven games since joining the Sox. … Jed Lowrie extended his hitting streak to seven games overall (9-for-26) and his hit safely in his last 10 road games, too.

smcadam@projo.com