FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Ever since David Price was signed to the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher last winter, it was foregone conclusion that he would be the Red Sox' Opening Day starter.
John Farrell made that official Tuesday morning, then went a long way toward sketching out the order in which the rest of the rotation will be used.
Clay Buchholz will start the second game of the season in Cleveland, on April 6.
"I think he's thrown the ball well,'' said Farrell of Buchholz. "He's gained command of his secondary stuff the last three times out. You look at pitchers (in the spring) and you're hopeful that their execution and their secondary stuff improves as you get deeper into camp. I think that's happening, for the most part, with guys. In Clay's case, he's showing that.''
The third spot, Farrell said, was still undecided, but given that the manager said it would be based on "just the way guys have thrown. Pretty straightforward. You're looking to send the guys that are throwing the best and most consistent to lead things off.''
Using that as a barometer, it's no contest between Kelly -- who took a 1.35 ERA into his final Grapefruit League start Tuesday afternoon -- and Porcello, who has a bloated 9.77 ERA and has averaged nearly two hits allowed per inning (29 in 15 1/3 innings).
Finally, Farrell broadly hinted that Steven Wright had won the fifth starter's spot, filling in for Eduardo Rodriguez.
"Steven Wright has pitched well this spring,'' said Farrell, "and without making an official announcement, that's probably the way we're leaning.''
Farrell announced that, as the team travels to Montreal for games Friday and Saturday, both Kelly and Porcello will pitch in camp or minor league games here in Fort Myers. That would leave them both on schedule to pitch the third game of the series in Cleveland (Thursday, April 7), with the other starter set to open the weekend series in Toronto the following day.
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