A strong rotation and even better bullpen have led the Boston Red Sox to the top of the AL East.

Now John Smoltz, the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves, is set to join them.

His return next week may give a boost to the pitching staff and a dilemma to manager Terry Francona. But if Boston must use six starters for a couple of turns through the rotation, he's not complaining.

"It certainly could happen," Francona said yesterday after confirming that Smoltz would make his first start in more than a year on June 25 at the Washington Nationals. "That wouldn't be the worst thing for a short period of time."

Smoltz hasn't pitched in the majors since June 2, 2008, when he allowed two runs in one inning as Atlanta's closer. Eight days later, he had surgery to repair labrum damage in his right shoulder, ending his season.

Tonight, he's scheduled to make his sixth rehab start, pitching at Triple-A Pawtucket against Charlotte. Then the 42-year-old right-hander can focus on his return to the majors.

"I'm not too excited yet because I want to get through (tonight's start)," Smoltz said.

METS

SANTANA REFUTES FORMER PITCHING COACH

New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana insists his left knee isn't hurt and said location was the only problem he experienced while surrendering a career-high nine runs in a 15-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Before yesterday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, Santana reacted with surprise to comments from former pitching coach Rick Peterson, who told a New York radio station that he'd heard a rumor that Santana was dealing with a bum left knee.

"How does he know my knee hurts? That's the question that I have. Tell me, how did he find that out? It is crazy," Santana said. "Not even the trainers know. Not even me. I didn't know my knee hurts, just put it that way."

Santana said that he was troubled a month ago by a blister and split fingernail on his left middle finger that briefly made him alter the grip on his fastball, but those injuries have healed.

His attention is directed toward a bullpen session today.

"Just work on my mechanics and try to locate the pitches better. That's what I have to focus on. The last couple of games, we're missing the location of the pitches," he said.

ELSEWHERE

Angels: Center fielder Torii Hunter was held out of Los Angeles' lineup last night, a day after he bruised his ribs crashing into the outfield wall. Hunter bruised his right ribcage area on the back side when he hit the wall trying to catch a ball in the fourth inning against San Francisco on Monday night.

Tigers: Detroit pitcher Dontrelle Willis will not make his next scheduled start, manager Jim Leyland said. Willis walked eight in 3 2/3 innings in a loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday, and has walked 18 in 11 innings over his last three starts.

Giants: San Francisco sent down second baseman Emmanuel Burriss. The switch-hitting Burriss was batting .238 with no home runs and 13 RBIs in 61 games.