MINNEAPOLIS — Red Sox officials have refused comment, but Major League Baseball sources confirm that there are talks to have the Red Sox and New York Yankees open the 2008 regular season in Japan. There are also discussions for the teams to play exhibition games in China.

Red Sox officials have, in the past, expressed a desire to play games in Asia. The Yankees have played a regular season series with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Japan in 2004 and last winter, sent officials on a goodwill junket to China.

There are, however, hurdles to be climbed before an agreement can be reached. Both teams are said to be reluctant to give up home gates and the Yankees, having experienced a series in Japan before, want some adjustments in the schedule to compensate for post-trip fatigue.

Two other major-league teams the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are said to be in the mix, too, should negotiations fall through for either the exhibition games or the regular season set.

A matchup of the Yankees and Red Sox, of course, would have great appeal in Japan, not only because of the popularity of the teams and their history together, but also for the number of Japanese players who would take part in such a series. The Sox have pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima while the Yankees feature Hideki Matsui and Kei Igawa.

Hancock fallout

In the wake of the death of former Red Sox pitcher Josh Hancock, teams are re-evaluating their policy toward alcohol. Hancock, with the St. Louis Cardinals, died in a car crash and was found to be drunk.

“We really watch [consumption in the clubhouse] carefully, said Francona. “We have rules” including one that forbids taking beer out of the clubhouse.

The Sox do provide beer and wine on their charter flights.

“But our players know that if it’s abused, Francona said, “it will be taken away. But it hasn’t been. I don’t think we need to be reactionary here because I think we’ve been diligent and respectful about how we’ve handled it in the past.

Stiff neck shelves Crisp

Outfielder Coco Crisp sat out last night’s game with a stiff neck, which got progressively worse during Friday’s game.

Before being sidelined, Crisp had hit safely in nine of the last 10 games, hitting .350 (14-for-40) in that span and had four stolen bases over his last nine games.

Crisp entered the game as a pinch-runner for pinch-hitter Eric Hinske in the eighth and remained in the game in center field.

Error for Pena

Wily Mo Pena played center field and was charged with an error in the two-run Minnesota second, his second error of the season.

Ortiz moves up DH list

David Ortiz’s homer here Friday night was the 200th of his career as a designated hitter. Only five players have hit more as a DH, led by Edgar Martinez (243), followed by Frank Thomas (239), Harold Baines (235), Don Baylor (219) and Jose Canseco (208).

Ortiz is tied with Chili Davis for sixth place.

The homer was also the first by Ortiz in the Metrodome as a visiting player. He has now homered at least once in every one of the American League’s 14 parks. Ortiz has 19 career homers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Ortiz has a rough night at the plate last night, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. The first, against Johan Santana, was highly questionable. In an epic eight-pitch at-bat, Ortiz appeared to have checked his swing, but when the Twins appealed to third base umpire Jeff Nelson, Ortiz was rung up.

The Sox slugger was irate and could be seen gesturing wildly in the visitors dugout

Ramirez could get rest

Francona planned to check with Manny Ramirez after last night to see if Ramirez wanted the day off today, giving him two straight days off with tomorrow’s scheduled off-day. Ramirez has started every one of the first 29 Red Sox games, as has Ortiz.

Next on the list is shortstop Julio Lugo, who has been in the starting lineup for all but one of the games. Lugo, it appears, could use the rest. He’s hitting .155 (11-for-71) in his last 18 games and his average has dipped to .221

Injury lands Mauer on bench

Defending A.L. batting champion Joe Mauer was scratched from the Twins lineup just before game time because of a sore left quadriceps. Despite tomorrow’s day off, Francona said the Sox will not skip any of their starting pitchers. “With the staff we have, he said, “the extra day could be really good for them.” Joel Pineiro, who hadn’t pitched in a game since April 27, some eight days ago, pitched two perfect innings in relief.

smcadam@projo.com