Snyder spots an opening

Strong outing aids bid to be fifth in rotation

In the minds of most citizens of Red Sox Nation, Clay Buchholz is the No. 5 starter, but Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez, and other hopefuls like to think they are competing for the spot.

Snyder helped himself yesterday in Jupiter, Fla., at sold-out (8,151) Roger Dean Stadium against the Marlins with three innings of two-hit, shutout ball in a 3-2 loss to Florida.

"It was nice to get out there and stretch out and try to get a rhythm," said Snyder, who pitched 46 games in relief last summer. "I felt good with my fastball and my body is starting to accept longer innings."

Does he have designs on the rotation?

"I look at it that way," said Snyder. "For me to get into a competitive mind-set, that's where I need to be, mentally."

"When [Bartolo ] Colon gets here, we're going to have nine guys trying to get starters' innings," said manager Terry Francona. "Certainly we'll want to send some guys back when that happens, but we just like the idea of anybody we can stretch out - we do. We just feel it prepares them for the season and gives us multiple options in case something ever goes wrong."

Francona was happy with Snyder's outing against the Marlins.

"He threw strikes and changed speeds and got in fastball counts and didn't throw fastballs," said the manager. "Every time our guys command, they are fine. He threw very well.

"Some of what we do with our fifth starter has to do with Daisuke [Matsuzaka's] situation with the baby and we have days off in April. There's going to be some things that we just do that we think help us win games."

How many starters will the Sox take to Japan?

"I don't know," said the manager. "It depends on Daisuke's situation. We won't know that until who knows when?"

The Sox are under the impression that Matsuzaka's baby, to be born in America, is due around March 19, which is the day the team is booked to fly to Japan.

"It's hard because you're trying to be respectful," said Francona. "The guy is going to have a baby. We have Plans A and B. We'll have everything covered. It's not like we're just going to Detroit, but we'll get it figured out.

"We've got an idea what we're going to do, but Mother Nature has to cooperate, too."

Tavarez will start Friday against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, with Buchholz slated to pitch in a split-squad game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Bench coach Brad Mills will make the trip Friday while Francona stays home to watch Buchholz.

Down time

Coco Crisp has a slight groin injury and will sit out today's game against the Pirates. Julio Lugo is having minor issues with his back . . . On the mound for the Marlins was rookie lefty Andrew Miller, who pitched seven innings against the Sox last summer for the Tigers at Comerica Park. Miller came to Florida in the Miguel Cabrera deal and is slotted as the Marlins' No. 3 starter. He was Nuke LaLoosh yesterday, throwing three innings of hitless ball with five walks, a hit batter, and three strikeouts. Only 23 of Miller's 53 pitches went for strikes. "He's an interesting guy," said Francona. "I don't think there's a whole lot of comfort for lefthanded hitters." . . . Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez (remember him?) got into a collision Sunday, sliding into Yadier Molina, and did not play yesterday because of a twisted left ankle. Ramirez hit .332 with 29 homers and 81 RBIs last year, and his contract was renewed Sunday, bumping his salary from $402,000 to $439,000. Quite the bargain.

What's the deal?

Jonathan Papelbon was in Fort Myers yesterday afternoon with his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, to continue talks with the Sox on a new deal. Papelbon, who was paid $425,000 in 2007, told the Providence Journal that the $900,000 contract Ryan Howard signed with the Phillies at a similar service level was a reasonable benchmark. The Sox, meanwhile, likely have referenced the fact that White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, whose service time is virtually identical to Papelbon's, last week signed a one-year deal for $550,000. While a multiyear deal has been discussed, indications from both sides suggest that is unlikely. The guess here is that Papelbon will sign a one-year deal for a figure north of Jenks's deal but short of Howard's $900,000.

Colon throws well

Colon threw his first session off a bullpen mound yesterday morning, mixing in a few changeups with fastballs in a 42-pitch effort. Pitching coach John Farrell estimated that Colon touched 90 miles an hour. "For not being on the mound for 3 1/2 weeks," said Farrell, "I thought he threw the ball to both sides of the plate, he followed the glove well, there was good carry, got through his front side to allow him to carry his fastball through the zone. A very good day for him." Colon is scheduled to throw another bullpen tomorrow. If all is well, he'll probably throw one more bullpen session, mixing in his curveball, before throwing at least one session of batting practice. His schedule has him on track to pitch in a game by March 15, but Farrell emphasized that is assuming no setbacks. The key date is May 1, when Colon can opt out of his deal if he is not pitching in the majors. If he's healthy, the Sox almost certainly would bring him up, even if that meant shuffling other personnel. "At this point, the progress he has made is very positive," said Farrell. Colon extended his long tossing before the bullpen session to around 150-180 feet. "From pure arm strength, he's in a very good place," Farrell said. "Once we get into the up-down of innings simulation and really getting into games, that will be a clear indication of where he's at as far as season readiness."

The B side

Josh Beckett, whose first spring appearance came against Boston College, pitched three innings, striking out five while allowing an unearned run, in a B game yesterday morning against the Twins. Last time he pitched at 10 a.m.? "Losers bracket of an AAU tournament," he said. Beckett in a losers bracket? "Absolutely. I spent my whole life in the losers bracket of AAU tournaments. I was hitting fourth, probably." Beckett was pleased with the execution of his changeup and curve; his only issue, especially in a 26-pitch first inning, is that he might have been too strong while throwing his fastball.

Above-average Joe

The Sox and Twins finished the B game in a 2-all tie called after nine innings. Joe Thurston, a nonroster invitee who two years ago was a Triple A All-Star at second base but spent most of the winter playing the outfield, played left field, singled home a run, and tripled and scored the other on a passed ball. Thurston, a 28-year-old lefthanded hitter, batted .300 to finish sixth in the International League last season, while playing for Ottawa in the Phillies organization . . . Sean Casey and Jason Varitek batted 1-2 in the order so they could get four at-bats.

Shaughnessy reported from Jupiter, Fla., Edes from Fort Myers.