FORT MYERS, Fla. — Bartolo Colon professed to be ready to pitch sooner, but the newest member of the Red Sox is content with waiting to make his game debut on March 15.

Colon threw his second bullpen session yesterday, working through 41 pitches, and will have another one tomorrow before a live batting-practice session on Sunday. After that will come yet another side session before he pitches against the Cincinnati Reds on March 15.

“While I feel ready,” Colon said yesterday, “I also believe in what (pitching coach) John Farrell is telling me.”

Colon said he feels he has made progress since reporting to camp nine days ago. Yesterday, he again limited his bullpen session to fastballs and changeups. He’ll start to incorporate his slider tomorrow.

“I feel like today we saw a little better arm speed,” said Farrell. “This was another positive step. A few pitches had a little extra life through the zone, and once he gets into games I think there will be some added adrenaline.”

There still hasn’t been a determination on taking Colon to Japan.

“That’s not up to me,” said Colon. “If they ask me to go, I will. If they want me to stay behind, I’ll do that.”

Around the bases

For the hastily arranged four-inning camp game Saturday morning, the Sox will start David Pauley and Michael Bowden, with an inning each from Edgar Martinez and Kyle Jackson. Dusty Brown and George Kottaras will catch. … The Sox plan to make their first roster cuts of the spring on Saturday, returning about 10 players to the minor-league camp.

smcadam@projo.com