FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There is a spot to win in the starting rotation, and Thomas Pomeranz doesn't even want to consider the alternative.
Bullpen? Been there, done that.
"I don't think about [the] bullpen anymore," said Pomeranz. "I did that before last year. I moved back to the rotation and had the best year of my career, so I'm sticking with that one."
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To make the rotation, Pomeranz will have to prove he is over the left elbow woes that plagued him late last season. He will also have to win a competition.
It is simple mathematics. The Red Sox have six pitchers vying for five rotation spots. Three of the spots have been claimed by aces Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello. That leaves Pomeranz, Eduardo Rodriguez and knuckleballer Steven Wright for the final two jobs.

If everyone stays healthy, manager John Farrell is going to have a tough decision to make.
"With Pomeranz and Wright both All-Stars in their respective leagues last year, they're very capable," Farrell said. "So it's not a shortness of talent by any means. Each have had some physical things they've worked through, but that would be the ideal situation, having six guys capable and ready to go."

Though Pomeranz is on a conservative program this spring, he is encouraged by the way his elbow feels. A better test will come on Monday, when he throws his first side session of the spring.
"Really confident. I feel really good," Pomeranz said. "They got me on a throwing program here, just have me mapped out to go about as slow as I can, even though I can probably push myself a little harder. There's really no point. I also threw a lot more innings than I've ever thrown in my life last year."