FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox left-hander Thomas Pomeranz departed Sunday's shaky start against the Twins after two innings due to tightness in his left triceps, but said the move was precautionary.
"The first inning, my triceps got a little tight toward the end," said Pomeranz, who left an eventual 13-8 loss to Minnesota. "I told the trainers in between that inning, and went back out and it stayed tight the whole time. Nothing crazy. Just a little triceps tightness."
With David Price out indefinitely with a left elbow strain, the Red Sox are hoping Pomeranz can open the season in the starting rotation. Pomeranz was scheduled to pitch three innings against the Twins.
"I don't think it's anything too serious," Pomeranz said. "I could've gone back out there and thrown another one. I feel like it's something I'll come in tomorrow and be fine."

"It's not related to the area he addressed in the offseason," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "But still whenever you feel discomfort in the triceps of the throwing arm, we're going to be careful with it. He felt like he could've continued, but we didn't feel like it was appropriate to push it at this point. So we'll reevaluate him when he comes in tomorrow and see what the next steps are for him. Whether that's a bullpen on his normal day and keep him on his five day, that would be ideal, but we'll adjust as need be."
But Pomeranz was already on a more conservative schedule than the other starters this spring and has been playing catch-up due to a left forearm injury he pitched through down the stretch last season.
"I think my workloads have been a little higher this week," said Pomeranz. "Who knows? I threw that second inning and it didn't really loosen up. We just decided to call it quits. I could've thrown one more but, it's still the second start and we'll give it a little rest."
If Pomeranz and Price both start the season on the disabled list, veteran non-roster invitee Kyle Kendrick could be in line to be Boston's fifth starter.
However, Pomeranz still thinks he can start the season in the rotation.
"I don't think this is going to really affect too much," Pomeranz said. "I was one inning shy with what I was supposed to do so I'll just make up for it next time."
In Sunday's outing, Pomeranz gave up two hits, three runs and three walks over two innings, notching one strikeout. Of his 47 pitches, 24 were for strikes.
"I felt good going out there today," said Pomeranz. "It was the best my arm had felt to this point and then I get a little tightness. It's all part of this early season, Spring Training stuff, and it happens sometimes."