BOSTON (AP) – Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez is scheduled for another examination of his sore left knee that could help determine whether he will be able to play again this season.

Manager Terry Francona also said Tuesday that Curt Schilling, who hasn’t pitched since Aug. 30 because of a mild strain in his right side, is expected to throw about 80 pitches in his start on Wednesday but won’t face a strict limit.

Francona also said rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has a strained right shoulder, passed his strength test “with flying colors.” Though he might not pitch again this year, he will spend the rest of the month getting in game shape with the goal of allowing him to have a normal offseason as he heads into his second year.

In other injury updates:

-Left-hander Kason Gabbard threw from 120 feet and “felt pretty good,” Francona said.

-Right-hander Matt Clement threw off a mound, with the catcher in front of the plate and reported no problems.

-First baseman Kevin Youkilis is a little stiff but not expected to be out long.

Also, starter Kyle Snyder has a sore back and the team purchased the contract of righty Devern Hansack from the Eastern League champion Portland Sea Dogs so he can start Saturday and give Snyder more time to recover. To make room for Hansack on the 40-man roster, lefty Abe Alvarez was moved to the 60-day disabled list with a broken right ankle.

Hansack, 28, was 2-0 with a 1.93 in two starts in the Eastern League championship series against Akron, pitching seven shutout innings in Game 1 and striking out eight in the fifth and deciding game. It was Double-A Portland’s first Eastern League championship.

In all, Hansack was 8-7 with a 3.26 ERA and one save in 31 games.

AP-ES-09-19-06 1913EDT