Progress report good for Schill; Pawtucket rehab start slated.

Byline: Paul Jarvey

COLUMN: RED SOX NOTES

BOSTON - Curt Schilling views his return as a July 31 trade deadline acquisition, and, while no one is saying as much, that might be a good target date for his comeback from a sore shoulder.

He threw two innings to Red Sox reserves in a simulated game yesterday and looked so good the team has decided to send him to Pawtucket for a rehab start on Saturday.

"He threw the ball in his bullpen (on Friday) and today better than at any point since he arrived at spring training," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "That's a very fair statement."

Schilling was similarly encouraged after his 31-pitch effort against Wily Mo Pena, Alex Cora, Eric Hinske and Doug Mirabelli.

"My arm doesn't feel anything like it did at any point earlier in the year, so I take that as a good thing," he said.

Francona said Schilling will pitch three innings or about 45 pitches on Saturday. If that goes well, he'll start for the PawSox on July 26 at Toledo.

No one is saying what will happen after that, but Schilling would be on target to pitch Aug. 1 at home against Baltimore if team officials feel that two rehab appearances are enough.

The club has been cautious and methodical with Schilling so far, so it's possible the 40-year-old will be asked to make a third rehab start.

Schilling last pitched on June 18 in Atlanta, giving up 10 hits and 6 runs in 4-1/3 innings. His fastball was down to 84 mph in that game, an indication that something was wrong.

He said he had an idea that things weren't right as far back as Opening Day when he lasted just 4 innings and gave up 5 runs and 8 hits against the Royals.

Schilling (6-4, 4.20 ERA) has pitched some good games, including a one-hitter last month against Oakland, but he's had some clunkers, too. One of the reason the Sox put him on the disabled list was to strengthen his shoulder so he could pitch with more consistency. He feels his stint on the DL has allowed him to get over his problems.

"Everything is working together better now," he said. "I don't think any time during the season it was all in sync."

Praise for Gabbard

When Schilling does return, last night's starter, Kason Gabbard, could be out of the rotation -or not.

Francona likes Gabbard and thinks he could be a big winner in the majors.

"This kid has a chance to be pretty good," Francona said. "He's got three pitches, changes speeds. He's got movement all over the place. Sometimes it doesn't stay in the strike zone. I don't think the game quickens up on him. There's a lot to like about him."

Gabbard said he's not thinking about what might happen when Schilling comes back.

"I'm going to pitch when they tell me to," he said. "I'm going to do what they tell me to. That's all I can do. I'm not worried about it."

Francona said Gabbard didn't say two words when he joined the Sox last year, but he's a little more chatty now.

"When he retires, I don't think he is going to start doing the Johnny Carson show," Francona said. "He's a good kid. He's just not real talkative, but he's comfortable and polite."

Gabbard's complete-game shutout last night was the first of regulation length by a left-handed Sox rookie since John Curtis in 1972, It was the first by a Sox left-hander since Darren Oliver in 2002.

Gabbard is 4-0 in his career at Fenway.

Diamond Dust

J.D. Drew and Jason Varitek both returned to the lineup. Drew had missed a couple of games with a hamstring problem, and Varitek sat out Sunday with a bruised thumb. ... Curtis Leskanic, the winning pitcher of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees, is back with the Red Sox as a pro scouting consultant. That Sunday night game was his last in the majors. ... RHP Leo Nunez will be brought up from Triple-A Omaha to make his first Major League start tonight against Tim Wakefield.. ... Brendan Donnelly, on the disabled list since June 18 with forearm tightness, will be examined in Los Angeles today by Dr. Lewis Yocum. ... Julio Lugo extended his hitting streak to six games with an infield single. It looked like he was out on the replay.

NAME: BOSTON RED SOX