Instead of game, Ortiz has work day in cage

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Instead of playing against the Orioles on Wednesday, David Ortiz had a work day in the cage with hitting coaches Greg Colbrunn and Victor Rodriguez.

The lefty slugger is 2-for-35 in Spring Training with 12 strikeouts.

"He's going to go through his normal early work pregame and he'll get some extra work in the cage with Vic and Colby," said manager John Farrell. "It's going to be more of a specific work day for him."

Though Ortiz's spring slump isn't of any concern to the Red Sox, particularly considering his history of quiet performances in the Grapefruit League, he is trying to work on a few fundamentals before Opening Day on Monday in Baltimore.

"Yeah, that's why he and Colby and Vic are going to get in there, and I know they've been looking at some video with what's taken place here in camp," said Farrell. "I think it's more repetition and getting back to maintaining the work routine."

Last year, as he was battling back from an Achilles tendon injury, Ortiz didn't play in Spring Training and responded with a terrific regular season and postseason.

"Last year he didn't have any at-bats," said Farrell. "He had 15 at-bats in Triple-A on a rehab assignment before he came to us. I think there's more of an understanding of what he needs and knowing that if he feels comfortable in the box and he's seeing the ball well, then everything is going to fall into place. Last year certainly proved that."