Victorino considering batting right-handed exclusively

By Maureen Mullen / Special to MLB.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox manager John Farrell said to reporters Saturday morning in Sarasota -- where the Red Sox and Orioles played the first game of a split-squad, home-and-home, day-night doubleheader -- that Shane Victorino may consider not batting as a switch-hitter this season and just bat right-handed. After a hamstring issue last season, Victorino batted mostly right-handed in August and September. As a right-handed hitter against right-handed pitchers, he hit .300, going 30-for-100 with six home runs and an .896 OPS. As a righty against left-handers, he hit .314, going 53-for-169, with six home runs and an .861 OPS. Any decision, though, may have to wait. Victorino has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring, delayed after surgery on his right thumb in December. "It's almost going to be a game-time decision. I think he has his viewpoints on it and where his confidence is," Farrell said, according to Boston.com. "He hasn't told me that he's eliminating switch hitting." Back in Fort Myers Saturday afternoon, Victorino said he has not yet made a decision. "We've discussed it," Victorino said, of the possibility of hitting only right-handed. "Farrell said that it depends on how I feel and that's right. I haven't even played yet." He still considers himself a switch-hitter, though. "I took five swings right-handed and left-handed [in batting practice] the other day, so yes, I'm still a switch-hitter," Victorino said. Farrell has said he hopes Victorino can get into games early next week. "I don't know," Victorino said. "[But,] we're going in the right direction."

Worth noting:

• Right-hander Jake Peavy, who has been sidelined since cutting his left index finger with a knife on March 1, was expected to throw three innings in the bullpen on Saturday. He is scheduled to start Thursday against the Twins at Hammond Stadium.

• In addition to Saturday's split-squad games, the Red Sox have split-squad games Tuesday against the Marlins and at the Orioles. After that, they could have their first round of cuts.

• The Red Sox have their only day off of the spring on Wednesday, but left-hander Felix Doubront is expected to pitch in a Minor League game.

• The Red Sox open their Minor League schedule on Wednesday against the Twins, hosting the Double-A and Triple-A teams, with the Single-A teams on the road.

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