FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tim Wakefield has pitched in five games for the Red Sox so far this spring, posting a 3.66 ERA. He was solid again yesterday, shutting out the Marlins for five innings before getting a little tired in the sixth and giving up three runs.
“He’s done fine,’’ said manager Terry Francona. “He’s done a good job.’’
But with the regular season set to open in 10 days, Wakefield has not been told when he will pitch or even whether he will be in the rotation.
“I’m very curious, not knowing,’’ Wakefield said. “Normally I kind of know what’s going on. They have some decisions to make and we’ll see what happens.’’
The Sox have three off days during the first 10 days of the season, a schedule that would allow them to skip a fifth starter until April 18. Or they could use five starters and give everybody extra days of rest.
There is almost certainly a plan in place, given how meticulous Francona and pitching coach John Farrell are about such matters. But no decisions have been announced. Francona won’t even acknowledge that Josh Beckett is his choice to make the Opening Night start against the Yankees April 4.
It became comical yesterday when Francona was discussing the team’s trip to Washington for the final exhibition game April 3 and let it slip that every player on the roster “even Beckett’’ would attend the game rather than fly ahead to Boston.
Beckett said last week that he was preparing for the opener. His final start of spring training will come Monday, which would give him an extra day of rest before facing the Yankees at Fenway Park. It’s also fairly obvious that Jon Lester and John Lackey will follow Beckett in the rotation.
Beyond that, it gets fuzzy.
Clay Buchholz, whom the Red Sox hoped would establish himself as a reliable starter, has a 10.80 ERA in three spring starts, allowing 10 hits and six walks over 6 2/3 innings. He next starts Sunday against Minnesota. Francona and Farrell have said Buchholz earned his place with a strong performance at the end of last season. But the poor performance in spring training may be giving them pause.
The 43-year-old Wakefield lost his spot in the rotation over the winter but vowed in February to get it back. A door opened when Daisuke Matsuzaka reported to camp with a sore back and then developed a sore neck.
Wakefield took advantage of the opportunity and has been impressive all spring, throwing 19 2/3 innings despite coming off surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.
Wakefield said it has been one of the best spring trainings of his career.
