March 22, 200521 yr AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE Friday, March 18, 2005; Page D12 Red Sox closer Keith Foulke is ahead of last year's schedule, when he was hampered by calf and knee injuries in his first spring training with Boston. He made his 2005 debut during a loss to the Devil Rays last Saturday, retiring the side in order, and also pitched Wednesday against the Cardinals. "His velocity was real good," Manager Terry Francona said. "He threw a good slider. He threw a good change-up. That was real nice to see." Last year, Foulke had 32 saves in 72 appearances. During the postseason, he allowed only one earned run in 14 innings and had three saves and a 1-0 record in 11 games. Boston signed reliever Matt Mantei as a free agent, which could mean fewer innings for Foulke, who has pitched in at least 65 games in each of the last six seasons. . . . Yankees closer Mariano Rivera played catch yesterday for the first time since being sidelined by mild bursitis in his pitching elbow. "It's a lot better," said Rivera, who expects to be ready for Opening Day. "We'll see how I feel tomorrow." . . . The Blue Jays released veteran closer Billy Koch, who has struggled this spring with a 15.00 ERA in three appearances. Koch, 30, spent his first three seasons with Toronto before being traded after the 2001 season. He has a lifetime record of 29-25 with a 3.89 ERA and 163 saves.
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