Cordero enjoying comeback bid with Red Sox

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Outfielder Grady Sizemore isn't Boston's only comeback story this spring. After spending a year out of baseball, non-roster invitee Francisco Cordero is making a strong case to join the Red Sox in the Majors.

Cordero, 38, kept his Spring Training ERA at 0.00 by pitching yet another scoreless inning of relief in a 6-3 loss to the Braves on Saturday at Champion Stadium.

Following his outing, Cordero felt great.

"I feel like a little boy again," Cordero said. "After spending an off year in the Dominican [Republic], and now you came to Spring Training with the team who has just won the World Series last year, I've been having a lot of fun."

Cordero could potentially be with Boston on Opening Day in Baltimore if left-hander Craig Breslow is not ready to go on March 31. Breslow threw 20 pitches during live batting practice on Friday and is scheduled to make his first appearance Monday.

The Red Sox have not made a decision on Breslow's availability for Opening Day.

Meanwhile, Cordero, a former All-Star with 329 saves, offers Boston an experienced bullpen arm with a proven track record of success. Although he has faltered in recent years, his results this spring are difficult to ignore.

"He's done an outstanding job," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He's used all his pitches. Seemingly every time he's been in a fastball count, he's going to go to something offspeed. And he's come in here with no guarantees of any kind and just taken every opportunity and he's made the most of them."

Cordero is making his mark on the Red Sox, but the veteran believes the club is making a great impression on him as a player. This Spring Training, he remarked, has been totally different than any other he has taken part in during his MLB career.

"This is a team that plays hard, but at the same time, they have fun with it," Cordero said. "So, I'm enjoying my time. I enjoy every day here in Spring Training. I'm having fun, too."

With the chance to appear in his first Major League game since Aug. 1, 2012, Cordero is anxious for the season to arrive. Although his whereabouts on March 31 remain undecided, he is prepared for whatever comes next.

"I don't know what's going to happen, but I've enjoyed my time," Cordero said. "I'm trying to do my best and see what happens in the end."