FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Pitching plans are taking shape for the Red Sox.
New ace Chris Sale is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut on March 6 at West Palm Beach against the Astros.
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez threw batting practice for the first time this spring on Saturday, and he is penciled in to start Thursday's home game against the Rays.
Rodriguez is in competition with left-hander Drew Pomeranz and knuckleballer Steven Wright for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. All three pitchers came into camp with health concerns, and E-Rod is ahead of the other two pitchers at this point.