The Hurt Parade. Scott Williamson underwent an MRI on his right elbow on Thursday. He had received a cortisone shot earlier this month to deal with lingering tendinitis, but it flared up again Tuesday night. The club maintains the MRI is simply precautionary and hopes Williamson can return as early as tonight.

Bill Mueller was also sent back to Boston for tests on his right knee. He was examined by team physician Bill Morgan today and the Red Sox should know by tonight if a DL stint is necessary. ... Byung-Hyun Kim experienced minor back pain while pitching on Tuesday. Sean McAdam reports that the Sox are not as eager to get rid of Kim as some reports have indicated. Of course, trying to swing a decent deal now would be impossible; Kim's value is as low as it's ever been. McAdam quotes one scout as saying Kim "looked like he had the arm of a 40 year old."

Foulke Festival: In 19 appearances covering 22.1 innings, Keith Foulke has allowed only one run (April 17, Yankees, Boston was ahead 5-1 at the time); his ERA is 0.40. In his last 12 outings covering 13 innings, Foulke has walked two and struck out 15. Opponents are 3-42 against him (.071). ... Gordon Edes chats about Beltran, Williamson and Internet Sox sites. ... Art Martone on "Still, We Believe" (also here and here).

Johnny Damon shaved his beard this afternoon, but says it will return -- "quicker than you know. ... It's going to take about two weeks, but I'm going to keep it neater this time." ... Damon also clarified his comment that the team missed Nixon more than Garciaparra. "What I meant is that the guys were filling in better for Nomar than the guys filling in for Trot. With Trot out, I have a different outfield around me every day."

Starters for the Blue Jays series:
Friday: Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 3.53 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (4-4, 3.69)
Saturday: Pedro Martinez (4-3, 3.75) vs. Ted Lilly (2-2, 5.24)
Sunday: Tim Wakefield (3-2, 3.31) vs. Miguel Batista (2-3, 5.01)