Red Sox sluggers (from left) Manny Ramirez, Wily Mo Pena and David Ortiz laugh it up at the batting cage yesterday.

AP / BRITA MENG OUTZEN

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In his second session of live batting practice this spring, Daisuke Matsuzaka tested himself against a better class of hitters.

Two days after facing a trio of minor-leaguers, Matsuzaka threw BP to the heart of the Red Sox batting order, facing David Ortiz and newly arrived Manny Ramirez along with Wily Mo Pena, Julio Logo, Alex Ochoa, Dustin Pedroia and Alex Cora.

Matsuzaka threw for 12 minutes, delivering just over 50 pitches to the Sox hitters. The vast majority of the pitchers were taken by the veteran hitters, with just a few balls hit out of the infield.

“They didn’t have too much intention of hitting my (pitches),” said Matsuzaka. “They wanted to see what I had.”

Most of the players came away suitably impressed with their first look.

“He’s got good stuff,” said Ortiz, “but we haven’t played (games), so we’ll see. Come to me after a game. He’s got good stuff. We’ve got to wait and see, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to do well.”

“He’s got some good stuff,” echoed Pena. “His fastball was sneaky quick. His split, changuep and slider all had good movement. I think he’s going to be good. Everything had movement.”

Matsuzaka estimated that he was throwing at about “70-80 percent” of his true velocity. His agent, Scott Boras, earlier this month said Matsuzaka would be relying more on his two-seam fastball, but the pitcher said yesterday that the pitch was being implemented gradually.

Once again, Matsuzaka attracted extraordinary fan attention, with visitors ringing Field 5 at the team’s minor-league complex, intent on watching his every move.

“I’ve only heard about Red Sox Nation so far,” he said. “But I know Red Sox fans are very passionate. I would like to feel their passion at Fenway Park very soon.”

Matsuzaka will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday night against Boston College.

Timlin back in action

Mike Timlin, who suffered an oblique spasm Sunday, returned to the field yesterday and took part in fielding and pickoff drills.

Craig Hansen, meanwhile, was held out of action, still nursing some back issues.

“He’s still stiff,” said manager Terry Francona. “He’s being held back a little bit.”

Francona, who has been battling a stomach flu, singled out Josh Beckett’s session yesterday, noting that Beckett’s fastball was consistent down in the zone.

“I would use the word ‘phenomenal,’ ” said Francona, who was also impressed with Jonathan Papelbon’s batting practice work.

From start to finish

The Sox announced their full pitching plans for the next few days as Grapefruit League action begins.

Following Curt Schilling to the mound in tomorrow’s exhibition opener against Minnesota will be Julian Tavarez, Joel Pineiro, Manny Delcarmen, Brendan Donnelly, J.C. Romero, Bryan Corey and Runelvys Herhandez. Matt Garza will start for the Twins.

On Thursday, Beckett will pitch against Northeastern, with Craig Breslow set for relief. That same afternoon, a split-squad will go to Dunedin to face Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. Kason Gabbard will draw that start, with work slated for Devern Hansack, Javier Lopez and David Pauley.

Friday, when the Blue Jays visit here, Kyle Snyder will start, followed by Hernandez, Donnelly, Corey, Hideki Okajima and Mike Burns. The Jays will start left-hander Gustavo Chacin.

Finally, after Matsuzaka goes in the nightcap Friday against BC, there will be some innings for Kyle Jackson and Rule V draftee Nick Debarr.

Unfinished business

By one estimate from the front office, there are still “seven or eight” unsigned players in camp on the Sox’ 40-man roster.

Most of those are players with more than one year of major-league experience, but less than the three necessary to qualify for salary arbitration.

Among the notables still unsigned are Delcarmen and Lopez, along with first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

The players have little leverage, and if deals are not signed by March 11, the Sox are within their right to “renew” players at whatever salary they deem sufficient.

Time to move on

Today is the final day to be spent at the team’s minor-league complez, some three miles from City of Palms Park. … The Sox have added additional concession stands and seating in a newly constructed right field pavillion, seemingly patterned after the Monster Seats atop the left field wall at Fenway.

smcadam@projo.com