Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia works on his fielding during practice earlier this week.

AP / Steven Senne

FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz, who bashed a club-record 54 home runs last season, isn’t resting on his laurels.

In the offseason, the Sox’ designated hitter went home to the Dominican Republic and began training for the 2007 season, doing a little more weightlifting than in past offseasons.

Ortiz said he was bench-pressing 300 pounds this winter.

"Normally I do 200-225. That 75 pounds makes a difference," said Ortiz yesterday morning. "I was getting big. But I started to get too tight, so about a month ago I shut it down. I didn’t want to lose my flexibility. I need my flexibility to hit."

Ortiz later put on an exhibition of power while facing coach Ino Guerrero in batting practice. He blasted numerous home runs well beyond a fence at one of the five fields at the complex, sending towering shots toward the batting tunnels and trailers that house Red Sox media officials and the press.

The foul pole at that field measures 330 feet from the plate. His homers had to have traveled at least 440 feet. Not bad for an early BP session.

But Ortiz wasn’t satisfied.

"I need to face (the pitching machines) more so I can get my timing," said Ortiz.

Not surprisingly, Ortiz is a fan favorite at camp, as much for his engaging personality as for his power-hitting displays. When he was shagging in right field after his BP session, he would field balls and roll them to fans. They kept clamoring for more.

"You’re going to get me fired," said Ortiz with a laugh.

Ortiz said he was rolling the baseballs to the fans because the team was told during its meeting with MLB security personnel on Thursday that they shouldn’t throw baseballs into the stands, as is the custom after a third out of an inning has been recorded.

They were told, he said, of Juan Pierre facing a $45,000 lawsuit because someone got hurt when he threw a ball into the stands last season.

Schilling goes in opener

Manager Terry Francona was not at the field yesterday. He was suffering from the flu, which was bothering him on Thursday and got worse overnight.

Pitching coach John Farrell took over for him as the team spokesman after yesterday’s workout.

Farrell announced the rotation for the first few spring games. Curt Schilling will pitch the opener, a home game at City of Palms Park against the Twins on Wednesday night. In a split-squad day, Kason Gabbard will start in Dunedin against the Jays and Josh Beckett will pitch at home against Northeastern on Thursday.

The Sox will play a pair of home games on Friday, with Kyle Snyder starting Friday afternoon against Toronto and Daisuke Matsuzaka making his debut that night against Boston College. On Saturday, Tim Wakefield will start at home against Philadelphia, and he’ll be followed to the mound by Jonathan Papelbon.

Farrell said each pitcher would throw about 35 pitches, even Matsuzaka, whose workouts have been longer, notably the 103-pitch bullpen session on Thursday. By the end of those four days, Farrell was hoping that each of the 31 pitchers in camp would have gotten to the mound at some point.

Matsuzaka’s first BP session will be held today.

Delcarmen impressive

Right-hander Manny Delcarmen has been looking good, said Farrell.

"He has good command of all three pitches. It’s only the bullpen and BP, but the first impressions have been very good," said Farrell of the Boston native, who spent most of last year in the big leagues.

Delcarmen has a new number this year. He’s wearing 17, his favorite number. He said he remembers his father wearing the number when he played ball, and it had always been his number until he came up to Boston. Former pitching coach Dave Wallace had the number.

When Wallace was replaced, Delcarmen asked for it and was given the number. He wore 57 last year.

Around the bases

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was summoned before yesterday’s workout to have his head shot taken for MLB-licensed SONY, Nintendo and X-Box video games. … The team’s workout yesterday was earlier than normal so the players could participate in a charity golf tournament to benefit the local children’s hospital. … Today is picture day. … Gary Tuck, the team’s new bullpen coach, has been running a competition among his six catchers. He’s keeping a Dropped Ball Chart, which tracks how many balls each catcher drops during bullpen sessions. Non-roster Dusty Brown (0/450) and George Kottaras (0/420), who appears ticketed for Pawtucket, were the leaders heading into yesterday’s workout. The other numbers: Jason Varitek (2/480), Doug Mirabelli (3/500, including one knuckler), Alberto Castillo (1/420) and Kevin Cash (1/440).

skrasner@projo.com