Exercising caution on Nixon

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- General manager Theo Epstein did not rule out a trade before the start of the season if he feels recent injury problems -- mainly Trot Nixon -- are long term. Epstein and manager Terry Francona are hoping Nixon can return to the lineup as the bulging disk in his back improves, but yesterday Francona said the team was not going to put a timetable on Nixon, preferring the injury to take its course.

Francona was awaiting word from the medical staff on what was next for Nixon.

"We feel a responsibility -- because of who he is -- not to let him hurt himself," Francona said yesterday. "He'll play when he can play." Francona said Nixon would continue to be evaluated and then "we'll see where he's at."

Nixon took some swings in the batting cage Tuesday, and has told everyone who will listen that he feels fine. But Francona feels he'll always get that response from Nixon and therefore is protecting Nixon from himself.

"The feedback I get from him is that he wants to play a week ago," said Francona. "He's chomping at the bit."

Certainly, Nixon's long-term condition is an issue. Ellis Burks had a bulging disk during his first tour with the Red Sox, and eventually had to have surgery.

The Sox have talked about shifting Manny Ramirez to right. They had Gabe Kapler there for most of the game yesterday. The wild card in this could be Burks. Up to this point, he hasn't been able to throw well enough (following elbow surgery) to play in the field. He has said this week that he's probably a "few days" away from playing the field. Burks would certainly be able to handle the position.

Even if Nixon is able to get on the field soon, is it possible he won't be ready for Opening Day?

"There's a lot of possibilities," Francona said. "I don't want to say that. We'll let his body dictate that. It depends on how he feels. He hasn't thrown, he hasn't run, he hasn't done a lot of stuff. We can get him at-bats. That's probably the least of the worries. I just prefer to let it take its natural course. I don't want to force him because it just doesn't make sense."

Feel-good story

Nomar Garciaparra returned to the lineup yesterday after missing four games, and went 0 for 2 with a run scored. He'll get today off as the team heads for a long trip to its former spring home, Winter Haven, for another meeting with the Indians. Garciaparra said his right heel was feeling fine, but Francona was also going to exercise caution with his star shortstop . . . David Ortiz, who homered for the fifth time this spring in the 3-1 win over Cleveland, reiterated how much he wants to remain with the Sox. He said he was "disappointed" he wasn't able to get more than a one-year deal and hoped that negotiations would lead to a longer contract. "I feel great being here," he said. "I'd like to stick around a long time here." . . . Agent Fernando Cuza is due to visit Fort Myers this week. While Cuza said the purpose of his trip was to spend time with client Pedro Martinez, he would not comment on whether he would continue discussions on a contract extension for the Sox ace. Cuza confirmed that preliminary talks took place last week, but said he and the Sox have agreed not to discuss the negotiations in public.

Sick call

Mark Bellhorn was a pregame scratch, the team reporting he had flu-like symptoms and went home. He was replaced at second base in the starting lineup by Terry Shumpert, who is competing with Bellhorn for a utility spot. One plus for Shumpert is that he can play seven positions, and he said yesterday he could catch in a pinch . . . Cesar Crespo singled in a run and played both shortstop and center field. Francona said Crespo is having "a great spring. He's opened some eyes." . . . Lefthander Abe Alvarez, 21, pitched a scoreless inning of relief as the Sox brass wanted to see him in a major league game . . . Ramiro Mendoza, who has been battling a right abdominal strain and stiff neck, was pleased after throwing batting practice at the minor league facility. "I threw 25 pitches. Threw all of my pitches and I felt good," he said. "I think I'm doing one more time on the side and then maybe get into a game." . . . The news wasn't as good for Reynaldo Garcia, who returned to Boston yesterday with bone chips in his elbow . . . Former Sox pitching coach Mike Rourke visited the clubhouse . . . Former Sox lefthander Joe Sambito, now an agent, was scheduled to meet with Epstein concerning Dave McCarty. The Red Sox have backed off McCarty's pitching experiment, but Sambito was hoping the team would continue to allow McCarty to pitch.