"Savvy sports fans have heard the line a million times: Once you get late into the season, nobody is 100 percent healthy.

But Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, due to be activated today following a stint on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury, has a different take on this 100 percent business.

"I'm definitely not 100 percent, but I'm 100 percent for September," he said yesterday at Fenway Park, after taking part in early batting practice prior to the Sox' series finale against the New York Yankees. He also took some grounders at third base.

"To say I'm 100 percent for September is really the best way to put it," he said. "In September, we're all really at about 80 percent in terms of health, compared to where we are at the beginning of the season and in May, and if you can get to that level that means you're 100 percent for September.

"Once you've played 100 games in a season, nobody is 100 percent.""