Timlin OK after throws

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mike Timlin might be turning the corner regarding a strained left oblique that has sidelined him for two weeks. The veteran reliever has received clearance from team medical director Thomas Gill to resume throwing, and he's done so the last two days from 90 feet.

"Mike threw 90 feet and felt very good," said manager Terry Francona. "[He] reported no stiffness. No soreness. It went well. He was examined and got the go-ahead.

"Dr. Gill said he's doing pretty well, but . . . [he] cautioned to not let him get ahead of himself."

Timlin thought he'd need three or four days to be ready for a mound appearance, but Francona believed that timetable might be too aggressive.

"It has to be approved by the medical staff," Francona said. "I know we all get caught up in shooting for Opening Day. There are a lot of games to play where I'd like to have him healthy."

Meanwhile, Joel Pineiro, who is battling for a bullpen spot, did not allow a run in 1 1/3 innings despite allowing two hits in a 2-1 loss to the Reds at City of Palms Park.

Pineiro came on in the fourth inning, and Francona said the plan was to use him in the middle of an inning to have him get used to pitching with runners on.

Lefthander Hideki Okajima got off the funniest line of the day when he mused about the team wearing special jerseys in honor of St. Patrick's Day: "The green uniform made me feel like an inchworm." Okajima pitched one scoreless inning and showed a good fastball during his one strikeout . . . The Sox will wear the green uniforms again April 12 vs. Seattle in a tribute to the Celtics and Red Auerbach . . . The Sox got a scare in the fifth inning when second baseman Dustin Pedroia was hit by a pitch on the knuckle of his left pinkie. X-rays were negative, but Pedroia will be held out for a couple of days. "It was scary at first, because in '05 in my first week at Pawtucket I got hit on the other hand and was injured," Pedroia said . . . Al Nipper, who is scouting pitchers for general manager Theo Epstein, has been spotted in Astros camp, and also in Brewers camp, where several teams are looking at erratic reliever Derrick Turnbow . . . Francona said Jon Lester likely will not start the season in extended spring training. "We've talked a lot about a lot things, but that would not be high on our list. Nor would it be high on his list," the manager said.

Matt Clement is about to enter the next phase of his rehab. "The shoulder legitimately feels good. I'm just so happy it feels good," said Clement, who expects to go from throwing at 45 feet to 60 feet today or tomorrow. Clement had major surgery in September, and it usually involves a 12-month recovery, but he started his throwing program a month earlier than expected. Clement still expects to pitch this year . . . Lefthander Craig Breslow, catcher George Kottaras, and outfielder Brandon Moss were optioned to Pawtucket. Nonroster invitees Runelvys Hernandez and Travis Hughes, both pitchers, and infielder Ed Rogers were assigned to minor league camp . . . Reds infielder Mark Bellhorn received a nice ovation when introduced as a defensive replacement at first base . . . Francona is giving Coco Crisp and J.D. Drew some down time. Crisp "is a little beat up," according to the manager. And he doesn't want Drew making the bus ride to Fort Lauderdale today "because he's swinging so well. He feels so good about himself."

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.