BOSTON — After facing — and striking out — one hitter (Alex Rodriguez), Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen left last night’s game because of some discomfort in his right forearm.

“It was more of a cramp,” said manager Terry Francona, ”which is good news. When you make a trip out there and any pitcher says they feel something in their flexor [muscle], there doesn’t seem any reason to leave him out there.

Lefty Javier Lopez retired Bobby Abreu to open the inning, and the Sox went to Delcarmen to face the right-handed hitting Rodriguez. Delcarmen fanned Rodriguez on a called third strike curveball, but Francona and trainer Paul Lessard trotted out to the mound immediately after

“By the time he got back in the clubhouse and upstairs,” said Francona, “it had calmed down. His strength was just fine. I think there’s a chance he’ll be a little stiff tomorrow. I don’t think there’s anything more than that. That was probably me being overprotective, which I won’t apologize for.”

A night of stars

It’s not too often you see a professional athlete starstruck. That phenomena occurred yesterday afternoon in the Red Sox clubhouse. About an hour and a half before first pitch the side door to the clubhouse opened up and golf legend Jack Nicklaus walked in. The Golden Bear was escorted by pitcher Tim Wakefield and introduced to many Red Sox players and personnel. Many pictures were taken.

“That’s pretty cool,” said a beaming Wakefield. “That’s really cool.”

Red Sox legend Jim Rice, who is an avid golfer, was all smiles standing next to Nicklaus.

Nicklaus threw out a ceremonial first pitch, along with country star Kenny Chesney, who is a friend of Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin.

Lugo’s on the mend

Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo remains on the DL with a severe strained left quadriceps. He was seen in the clubhouse yesterday without the leg brace he previously had been wearing. He was walking without a limp and said he was feeling better. Meanwhile, rookie infielder Jed Lowrie now has started six consecutive games in Lugo’s spot at shortstop instead of utilityman Alex Cora. Lowrie has handled himself well. If he can continue his solid play, both in the field and at the plate, it will make for an interesting scenario once Lugo is able to come back.

A heartfelt moment

Led by Jeanne Bouley of Woonsocket, a delegation of Rhode Islanders was at Fenway Park last night for a special reason. Bouley along with CVS president Tom Ryan and others presented Timlin with a check for $4.4 million to aid in the fight against amyotropic lateral sclerosis. Bouley, a former CVS employee who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, as ALS is called, has headed a drive CVS has held each year since 2002 to raise money for research against the condition.

And finally …

Almost lost in all the excitement last night was the fact David Ortiz returned to the lineup after missing almost two months with a wrist injury. He went 1-for-4. It was clear the slugger was able to swing with authority and showed no ill effects in the process.

“I thought his bat speed was tremendous,” said Francona. “Again, you’re talking about a guy (Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain) who has some of the best stuff in the league, and David looked very good. He didn’t look like he was thinking about anything besides driving the ball, which is good.”

When Ortiz stepped to the plate in the first inning, he received a standing ovation from the 37,744 in attendance.

jmcdonal@projo.com, smcadam@projo.com