Pappi playing hurt

[Raji]

BOSTON -- David Ortiz has been playing with a torn meniscus in his right knee since the middle of the 2006 season, the Red Sox slugger revealed Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after Boston returned from the All-Star break to beat Toronto 7-4, Ortiz said he hurt his knee during batting practice at Yankee Stadium last summer, probably during the series June 6-8. Ortiz said when he twisted his leg to field a bunt, his knee turned but his spike got caught in the netting that protects the grass in front of home plate.

Sportsbook.com lists the Red Sox at +180 to win the AL Championship this season.

Ortiz said he hasn't needed surgery because the knee is free of inflammation.

''It wasn't anything major,'' he said. ''I just kept playing through it last year. This year, it's been bothering me more than it used to.''

Ortiz was limping around after hitting the same knee with a foul ball in the eighth inning Thursday.

''It hurt, but I'm fine,'' he said.

The Red Sox designated hitter has 14 homers and 54 RBIs so far this season - far off the pace of last year when he had 54 homers and 137 RBIs. The Red Sox have a 10-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East, and Ortiz was asked if it might make sense to fix the problem now and be 100 percent for the playoffs.

''I don't want to get out of the lineup right now,'' he said. ''I have days where I feel fine. I'm just going to get through the season.''

Ortiz said it was not certain that he would need surgery, even after the season.

Ortiz said he doesn't think he aggravated the problem when he hit a hard foul ball off the same knee against Toronto. After a short visit from the trainer, he remained in the game and struck out.

Walking gingerly, he took a long time to get back to the dugout.

''I bet you it hurts,'' manager Terry Francona said. ''He wasn't going to come out. He's just a big guy that hit a ball off his knee. We'll check it again tomorrow.''

Raji