FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Rocco Baldelli went zero for three in his first game for the Boston Red Sox Wednesday afternoon.

Boston College pitcher Geoff Oxley struck out the Rhode Island native swinging on a high fastball in the first.

Baldelli lined out in the third and struck out swinging again in the fifth.

Baldelli joked Wednesday morning that he’s hitless in his career when he’s played against college teams during spring training.

The Rhode Island native played left field and batted second.

The Cumberland native, and former Rays outfielder, became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season and signed with the Sox in January. The club has been dealing with his health situation in a unique manner and it’s been working.

"I think he’ll be fine," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona before the game. "I try to learn as much as I can about guys so I don’t screw it up. The understanding I have with Rocco is short bursts, like sprinting, those types of things, his body can handle it. The long-term things, he wouldn’t be a good marathon runner because as his muscles fatigue, they’re going to shut down.

"Obviously he’s not going to be as potent, but in those short bursts, he’s actually built for that," added Francona. "That’s what we’re seeing. He takes a swing, runs a ball down in the outfield, and runs the bases great. We just need to be smart enough not to go too far to a point where he starts shutting down."

The Sox will face the Rays at Port Charlotte on Friday and Baldelli will be in the lineup for the Sox as the designated hitter against his former club.

"Obviously he's not going to be as potent, but in those short bursts, he's actually built for that," added Francona. "That's what we're seeing. He takes a swing, runs a ball down in the outfield, and runs the bases great. We just need to be smart enough not to go too far to a point where he starts shutting down."

The Sox will face the Rays at Port Charlotte on Friday and Baldelli will be in the lineup for the Sox as the designated hitter against his former club.

jmcdonal@projo.com