Farrell entertaining returning Victorino to two-hole

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Though manager John Farrell is still trying to gauge how his lineup best fits together, he seems to be warming to the idea of restoring Shane Victorino to the No. 2 spot in the order, where the right fielder spent most of last season.

Victorino batted second in Monday's game against the Cardinals, with Dustin Pedroia third and David Ortiz cleanup.

Farrell has also given some thought to hitting Pedroia second and Ortiz third, with Victorino either at leadoff or sixth.

"He's got an ability in the two-hole to play the game a little more," said Farrell. "If there's a guy on base, he's got the ability to bunt. He's already seen some pitches by the guy ahead of him. You can't deny the track record of what spots in the lineup show and the performance, getting on base particularly.

"And, you know, it gives us another guy with some speed at the top or an on base and speed guy at the top in addition to who might be leading off with him in the two-hole. And the fact that we had Pedey and David in the 3-4 hole for pretty much the majority of last year, that's not a new thing for them either."