SNYDER

DUNEDIN, Fla. — With a larger-than-usual contingent of scouts seated behind home plate, Kyle Snyder made his third start of the spring yesterday, pitching with an eye toward making the Red Sox or catching the eye of another club.

“You can’t completely ignore that,” said Snyder following his three-inning outing. “On the mound, you can’t focus on that. But I’m definitely aware of the fact there are other people watching me.”

Snyder, 29, is out of options and the Sox would have to expose him to waivers to send him to Triple A if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.

“I really hope I’m with this organization,” Snyder said. “My goal is to start the season in the big leagues. I feel I’m capable of pitching here and capable of helping.”

Snyder has already been told that yesterday’s appearance — in which he threw 47 pitches, 27 of which were strikes — would be his last as a starter. As the Sox concentrate on getting other starters stretched out, he’ll be used exclusively out of the bullpen and compete for the last spot on the staff as a reliever.

“I think there’s value in my versatility,” said Snyder. “I still feel like I have an upside. The rotation is set here and I appreciate the fact that they stretched me out. I like starting; I prefer starting.”

Burnett sharp, Sox lack pop

A makeshift travel squad couldn’t produce much offense in a 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett allowed just one hit — a double by former Blue Jay Eric Hinske — in his four innings. The Sox had just five other hits against a collection of Toronto pitchers.

A unique double play cost the Sox a tie. Hinske flied to the warning track with runners at the corners and one out in the eighth. Alex Prieto crossed the plate from third, but Ed Rogers was doubled off at first, ending the inning.

Long trip, no hits for Manny

Manny Ramirez was a surprise inclusion in the lineup. Ramirez started Monday night’s game against the Yankees and, like all the other regulars, was given the day off. But Ramirez insisted on making the long trip here and served as the Sox’ DH. He went hitless in three trips with a groundout and two strikeouts.

Hansen in search of slider

Pitching coach John Farrell has been working with Craig Hansen on rediscovering the slider that made Hansen so dominant in college.

“He’s been very receptive to the feedback,” said Farrell, who helped to run the team in Terry Francona’s absence. Hansen hasn’t been able to recapture the slider’s effectiveness in the major leagues.

Farrell moved Hansen from the third-base side of the pitching rubber to the first-base side.

“He was opening up his front side too early in his delivery [from the third-base side of the rubber],” said Farrell, “and giving the hitters a better look at his arm swing, at tracking the ball. By going to the first-base side, it allows his lead shoulder to stay closed longer, which is a primary goal in his delivery.

“That’s going to allow him to create that shape and depth to his slider.”

Around the bases

Francona and Curt Schilling spent the first part of the day in Philadelphia at the funeral of former Phillies coach John Vukovich. Both returned to Fort Myers late yesterday afternoon, and Schilling pitched in a simulated game last night. … The lone run came off Bryan Corey, who was scored upon for the first time in five spring outings, covering six innings. … Kason Gabbard starts today against Pittsburgh at Fort Myers. … Devern Hansack, Craig Breslow and Mike Burns each contributed a scoreless inning of relief. … Farrell had praise for catcher George Kotteras, who handled the staff for the majority of the game.

smcadam@projo.com