01:00 AM EST on Friday, March 24, 2006

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Red Sox told pitcher Jonathan Papelbon yesterday morning that he'll be starting the season in the bullpen. Even with the recent trade of Bronson Arroyo, the Sox have six starters for five spots and Papelbon is best equipped to pitch in relief.

"We wanted to assure him that this was not a demotion," said manager Terry Francona. "He gave us the answer we were looking for: 'I just want to win.' "

The Sox see Papelbon helping out in a late-inning set-up capacity.

"He can give you multiple innings and he can get you strikeouts," said the manager. "And he can throttle it up (with his fastball) and get out of an inning when he doesn't have his best stuff working."

After starting against the Yankees Wednesday night in Tampa, Papelbon will need some time before being available out of the pen. The Sox hope to use him in relief either Monday or Tuesday.

Clement's sinker improves

In his next-to-last Florida appearance, Matt Clement gave up three runs over five innings. He gave up six hits -- including a solo homer to Shawn Wooten -- walked three and struck out five in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Clement continues to get more comfortable with his sinker, a pitch he largely abandoned last season.

"I'm starting to feel good with it," he said. "I can start mixing and matching, but I've still got to be more consistent with it. But I threw a lot of quality ones. I'm very happy with how they worked today."

Clement confirmed that he's been told he will start the fourth game of the season, April 7 in Baltimore.

Sox option 3 to Pawtucket

The Sox continued to cut down, optioning infielder Alejandro Machado, pitcher Jimmy Serrano and outfielder Ron Calloway to Pawtucket.

Machado, who played most of last season at Pawtucket and got a September call-up when the rosters expanded, impressed Francona and the staff.

"He's a good player," Francona said, "and I think he's a better player the more we see him. We like the fact that he can play center field (as well as the infield). He has good instincts. We need to let him go play (at the minor-league level)."

The moves left the Sox with 37 players in camp. They must be at 25 on the morning of April 3.

Busy slate for Varitek

Catcher Jason Varitek, scrambling to catch up after playing in the World Baseball Classic, caught Clement yesterday. He'll catch Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke in a minor-league game today, then catch Josh Beckett in Clearwater Sunday.

Twins honor Puckett

In honor of the late Kirby Puckett, who died earlier this month, the Twins have his No. 34 on both sides of the infield at Hammond Stadium. . . . The Sox will keep their first three scheduled starters of the season -- Schilling, Tim Wakefield and Beckett -- in Ft. Myers when the rest of the club travels to Philadelphia next weekend for two exhibition games. They'll work out in Florida, then fly to Arlington, Texas, where the Sox open the season. . . . David Wells will be given an extra day of rest before his next turn, going Monday against Tampa Bay instead of Sunday, his scheduled turn. . . . Mark Loretta clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The Sox added another run in the ninth on a single by Jeff Bailey, a double by Luis Segovia and Yahmed Yema's infield groundout.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340