Beckett looks sharp in BP

Wilkerson impressed with pitcher's control

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Brad Wilkerson has seen Josh Beckett enough to know that yesterday's display wasn't exactly midseason form.

Beckett didn't have to be his vintage self. It was his first time throwing live batting practice this spring, and he still impressed those who stepped into the batter's box to face him.

"He looked sharp," Wilkerson said. "A guy coming out, first live BP, he's pumping the strike zone, hitting his spots. That's what you want to see. When he gets on the mound, he's just a different bird, I'd probably say. He's hitting his spots, fastball, he's getting the inside corners on the lefthanders. Just really pumping the strike zone. That's what you want to see this early."

With Beckett looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2008 season after finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2007, there was quite an audience at Field 4. J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis also stepped in against Beckett.

"Thought Beckett did well," said manager Terry Francona. "Kept the ball down and stayed in his delivery."

But Francona emphasized that pitchers are not yet being evaluated. They are simply being allowed to get their work in.

"You're not in the game competition," said Wilkerson. "It's just a different mind-set. But you want to get some swings in and definitely facing a guy like that, a guy that's throwing strikes. It's a lot easier on us because we can really zone in and not feel like we're swinging at so many bad pitches."

So they get a couple of swings in - or in the case of Drew, just watch and track the pitches - as Beckett works toward getting ready for the regular season.

"It's early," Drew said. "He looked good. It seemed like his location [was good]. He might have thrown a few balls where he didn't want to. Changeup looked like it was sinking. The ball had a good run on it. He looked strong from the beginning to the end."

David Ortiz (shoulder) did not participate in on-field workouts for a second straight day. He instead worked inside.

"Yeah, it's sore," Ortiz said. "I think I'll be out there [today]."

Francona said Ortiz slept funny on his left shoulder Wednesday. The team is not concerned enough to have Ortiz get the shoulder checked by medical personnel.

"A little better. In fact, a lot better," Francona said. "We held him back one more day. I think he just probably overdid it the other day a little bit. He's not a guy that's probably done a ton of throwing coming into camp, and then we go out there and he does the ground balls, he lifted, then he went home and fell asleep on it. But I think [today] will be fine."

Francona expects to announce the pitching rotation for the first few exhibition games today . . . While Francona has talked up the bullpen, calling it potentially the best since he's been in Boston, he said this early in camp there is no need to define roles. "That doesn't seem like a real worry to me," he said. "If we're winning and guys are throwing good, that's not an issue. We always talk to guys at the beginning of the year about being patient because we do want to have some continuity down there. We need to communicate with guys once we understand what it is, how we want to go about it. Again, if you're winning and they're getting guys out, you don't hear too much complaining." . . . George Kottaras took foul tips off his glove hand and shoulder while catching Beckett and Clay Buchholz during batting practice.

Rocco Baldelli was asked how he's feeling. "I was going to make a sign," he said. "Feeling good. Thanks for asking." . . . More than 30 front office members, coaches, and players took part in yesterday's annual team golf outing to benefit the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. It was suggested that John Smoltz, whom Tiger Woods once said was the best golfer he's seen outside the PGA Tour, was the one to beat. "In a scramble, no one's the one to beat," Smoltz said with a smile. "Scrambles are fun - you just hit and see what happens. The biggest thing I know is - being new - what the Boston family is a part of, because I'll certainly be a part of it. To do a golf tournament for [children's health care], it was a no-brainer."

Chris Forsberg of the Globe staff contributed to this report.