BOSTON - Terry Francona doesn't expect Jonathan Papelbon to move back into the Boston bullpen, even though it would make the Red Sox manager's life easier.

"If I had my druthers, he would be our closer," Francona said yesterday, a day before heading to Florida to get an early start on spring training. "It's not happening. We have to respect the medical people's advice."

Papelbon was thrust into the closer's role as a rookie in 2006 when Keith Foulke struggled to recover from back, elbow and knee injuries. Papelbon saved 35 games in 41 tries and was the runner-up for A.L. rookie of the year despite a shoulder injury that shut him down in September. Because of the injury - a tired shoulder, but short of the torn labrum he feared - doctors recommended that Papelbon pitch in the rotation this year so he would have a more regular and predictable schedule.

But the Red Sox still do not have a closer as spring training approaches, a major hole after an offseason spending spree that included Daisuke Matsuzaka ($103 million), J.D. Drew ($70 million) and Julio Lugo ($36 million).

Francona said it's possible Papelbon will wind up in the bullpen, but only if the anointed closer fails, Papelbon struggles as a starter and the doctors OK the move.

"I suppose the possibility exists, but I think it's a longshot," Francona said, adding such a move would come "way into the season."

Instead, Francona repeated that the closer will likely emerge from the group that includes Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly, Mike Timlin and Julian Tavarez. Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen are also competing for jobs as relievers.

"We feel initially the closer will emerge from four right-handers," pitching coach John Farrell said. "It is our goal to definitely name one closer, so other roles fall in line as we get closer to the start of the season."

Red Sox pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 16. Matsuzaka is expected the night before, when he's supposed to meet with the crush of media from the United States and Japan that will chronicle his every move this season.

Francona said he was infected with his usual winter optimism.

"I'm 24 hours from being on a plane, getting out of here," he said. "That's a great feeling for baseball people."

In other comments, Francona said:

Starter Curt Schilling's announcement last week that he would like to play another season might come to nothing. "A year is a long time. He might change (his mind) again," Francona said. "What's important to me is us trying to win now. Whether he pitches three more years or one more year, there's no doubt you're going to get the best out of him."

Outfielder Manny Ramirez was content, even though the team wasn't able to fulfill his trade request. "I think he's OK. I don't think there's any problem," Francona said.

Starter Jon Lester, who is recovering from lymphoma, will report to spring training but has been encouraged to go slowly. "He doesn't [want to go slowly]," Francona said. "But he's a smart enough kid to understand. He's had a traumatic winter."

Francona said one of the first items on his spring training agenda was to talk with Papelbon about putting too much pressure on himself. Papelbon is eager to prove himself as a starter, saying last month, "I guess I'm going to have to go out and win five in a row to quiet everybody."

"We want him to understand it's going to be a long season," Francona said. "That will be the first thing we talk about."

Also yesterday, the Red Sox invited 18 non-roster players to spring training: pitchers Abe Alvarez, Adam Bernero, Mike Burns, Bryan Corey, Runelvys Hernandez and Travis Hughes; catchers Dusty Brown, Kevin Cash and Alberto Castillo; infielders Jeff Bailey, Luis Jimenez, Joe McEwing, Ed Rogers, Bobby Scales and Chad Spann, and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury, Alex Ochoa and Kerry Robinson.