BOSTON -- Carl Everett dropped his appeal of a 10-game suspension and began serving it Monday night as the Boston Red Sox opened a three-game series against Minnesota.

The All-Star outfielder, who took batting practice before the Red Sox faced the Twins, apparently elected to start serving the penalty because of soreness in his right hand, though manager Jimy Williams played down the injury.

Everett apologizes to Red Sox fans

BOSTON -- Red Sox outfielder Carl Everett apologized to Boston fans on Tuesday night for the on-field emotional outburst that resulted in his 10-game suspension. "To our fans, players of the Boston Red Sox, and the front office, I apologize for the events of July 15," he said in a handwritten note given to team spokesman Kevin Shea. "I apologize most importantly for not being on the field during this 10-game period, for playing late through October is the goal that each of us have set our sights on. ... I also want to thank the fans for all the support they have given me, especially here in Boston." Everett began serving the suspension Monday. He will be eligible to return Aug. 4 when the Red Sox play the Kansas City Royals at home. -- Associated Press

Everett hurt himself while punching a bat rack following the ejection that led to his suspension. He is batting .316 and leads Boston with 26 home runs and 75 RBI.

Barring rainouts, Everett will be eligible to return Aug. 4, when the Red Sox play Kansas City at home.

Everett was suspended last week for twice bumping home plate umpire Ronald Kulpa on July 15 during a wild argument about whether he was in the batter's box.

"He withdrew his appeal and this is the best time to do it, all things considered," said Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette, who refused to acknowledge Everett's injury when asked. "I don't know Carl's thinking, but we're facing a number of left-handed pitchers over the next 10 days."

Duquette went on to say that Everett is not being fined by the club.

Williams, though, didn't admit to any injury.

"He's fine. He could have played today," Williams said after Boston's 4-2 loss. "It's just a decision he decided to make. He just felt it was better to get it behind him and move on."

Before the game, Williams acknowledged he was waiting to see how Everett felt before he made out the lineup. The club didn't inform the media of Everett withdrawing his appeal until the game was a few innings old.

In a game against the New York Mets, Everett became upset with Kulpa after the umpire drew a line on the inside of the batter's box with his left foot, then his right, showing where the hitter could stand.

The two had words and Everett was ejected.

Everett, a switch-hitter, was using an open stance -- as he usually does against left-handers -- where his back foot appears over the inside line.

During the ensuing argument, Everett bumped Kulpa before firing his helmet to the ground. After that, he bumped Kulpa again, causing the umpire to jerk his head back. Everett had to be restrained by Williams and coaches Tommy Harper and Wendell Kim.

After going to the dugout, Everett threw a bat on the field, knocked over a water cooler and punched the metal bat rack.

Two days later, Everett dropped his bat during his final time up, showing some discomfort.

"It seems to go back to the weekend," team physician Dr. Bill Morgan said. "He apparently injured it when he had that problem."

Everett did not play July 18 and also sat out Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.