BOSTON — While Manny Ramirez defended his recent actions in the clubhouse yesterday afternoon, at least one of his teammates believes everything is fine with the club’s slugger.

It’s been an interesting couple of months for Ramirez.

He pushed traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground during an argument this month. He took a swing at teammate Kevin Youkilis in the dugout June 5 at Fenway Park. He’s been in a he-said, she-said battle with ownership over his future with the organization.

He surprised management last week in Seattle when he arrived at the ballpark with a sore knee. He did not play Friday, either.

So, the club sent him to have a MRI taken on both knees and both scans came back negative. He played Saturday and again last night.

“He cares so much, said Julio Lugo. “He does so much to be ready and prepare himself. Sometimes things distract him. He felt bad about the Jack thing. He apologized to Jack and apologized to Youk. Sometimes people misjudge him and think he don’t care, but that’s not the way it is.

”It’s unfortunate things like that happen,” added Lugo. “He shouldn’t be doing that stuff and he understands he made a mistake. He asked for forgiveness and he has moved on, like he should.”

Lugo talked about Ramirez’s work ethic and how he is the first one to arrive at the park every day to work out. Lugo spoke of how close the two are and that Ramirez was misunderstood.

As far as Ramirez’s knee bothering him, Lugo sided with his teammate and friend.

”If you’re hurting, then you’re hurting,” he said. “I know Manny has been hurt for a while. He’s told me he’s hurt and I’m not going to tell you he’s not hurting. I know he’s been hurting for a while.”

There was a report earlier yesterday on ESPNdeportes, saying Ramirez wouldn’t object to a trade. Lugo says Ramirez wants to stay in Boston.

“Of course he wants to be here,” Lugo said. “It’s not true that you can’t trade Manny, because someone will take him. He’s the best hitter in baseball. He wants to finish here and be settled like everybody else.”

Manager Terry Francona said he has put the recent Ramirez incidents in the past, and that’s the way it always is in his clubhouse, no matter who is involved.

“From my point of view, that doghouse thing doesn’t work,” Francona said. “I’m not saying you don’t get mad at people, but if you stay irritated at people, it doesn’t work. There’s a lot of guys (in the clubhouse) who we have had — I don’t know if run-ins is the right word — but we have differences of opinion, and guys don’t always hear what they want to hear. But the object is to move on and get better, and I think we do a good job of that. That’s how good teams stay good.”

Francona believes in bullpen

It’s no secret that the Red Sox’ bullpen has struggled of late. With the trade deadline approaching Thursday, it would be no surprise if management attempted to shore up the relief staff. Boston has relied heavily on the young arms of Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen and Justin Masterson.

“We’re a little young, and at times we look a little young” Francona said. “We have some real good arms, and we think our bullpen can be our strength.

Francona said some of the inconsistencies were a combination of youth and other issues.

“It’s a work in progress, but I don’t think that means we can’t win with what we have,” he said.

Masterson is a perfect example.

He worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday at Seattle before he got pounded against the Yankees on Saturday.

The young right-hander faced three batters and allowed one run on three hits.

Francona said he wasn’t worried about Masterson regrouping from that subpar performance, and the manager believes the bullpen will be fine. Delcarmen (4.46 ERA) has been bothered by cramping in his right forearm for much of the season, and Hansen has been inconsistent with a 5.90 ERA.

Colon throws side session

Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon threw a 35-pitch side session the other day at Fenway and the veteran right-hander will work again today. Francona said he’d have a better idea about Colon after the session.

The manager thinks there will be a day soon where he’ll be able to make a rehab appearance. Colon has been on the DL with a lower-back strain, since June 17. . . Former Red Sox catcher Russ Gibson, 69, died yesterday after a long illness.

The Fall River native played in 264 games for the Red Sox (1967 to 1969) and the Giants (1970 to 1972). The club observed a moment of silence before last night’s game.

Goose moment at Fenway

There was a featured attraction on TV in the visitor’s clubhouse at Fenway yesterday, one that drew the attention of many of the Yankees.

The “Goose” was the star. That’s Goose Goosage. Now, Hall of Famer Goose Gossage. New York manager Joe Girardi, for one, loved seeing the former Yankee great enshrined.

“A lot of people believe he should have been a first ballot Hall of Famer,” Girardi said. “I believe it, as well. Now that’s he’s in; I don’t think he really cares how he got there. He’s a great Hall of Famer. Obviously, he brought a lot of excitement to a lot of people.”

Gossage was among a number of former Yankee greats that were at spring training with the team this year.

He had commitments related to his induction that required him to miss part of spring training, but he had an open invitation to be with the team.

“I said, ‘You know what, Goose, whenever you can be here, I want you here. I love having you around. Do your thing,’ ” Girardi said.

Girardi enjoyed what Gossage spoke about in his acceptance.

“About playing in the big leagues and dreaming of playing for the Yankees, about how many kids do that,” Girardi said. “[Gossage spoke] about being able to realize your dreams and how fortunate we are to be able to do that.”

Girardi used the day to talk about how he hopes another Yankee will be voted into the Hall soon — team owner George Steinbrenner.

“I believe that Mr. Steinbrenner is a Hall of Famer,” Girardi declared. “I hope it happens soon for him.”

jmcdonal@projo.com, pkenyon@projo.com