Red Sox starter Bartolo Colon fires the ball to the Rays’ Carlos Pena during the first inning of Colon’s spring training debut yesterday.

AP / Charles Krupa

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was quite impressed with Bartolo Colon’s performance yesterday, saying it was a good launching point for the veteran pitcher.

Colon made his Red Sox spring debut yesterday and looked good during his two-inning, 26-pitch, 18-strike outing. He allowed one run on two hits, including a solo home run to the Rays’ Jon Weber.

“He was good,” said Epstein. “I’ll be honest, he had more arm strength than we expected.”

Colon was consistently throwing his fastball between 90 and 94 mph, while mixing in some impressive off-speed stuff.

“That was more velocity than we expected from him,” added Epstein. “Obviously he was a little rusty. He was up in the zone early, but he was impressive. For his first time out we were really impressed. He definitely had more life on the ball, more velocity than in his simulated game [on Sunday]. It was nice to see him respond to a real-game situation.”

Colon is scheduled to start again on Monday when the Red Sox travel to Tampa to face the Yankees.

The Sox signed him to a minor-league contract at the start of spring training and the club feels he could make a significant impact in the rotation. He loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning, but retired the next three batters to end the inning unscathed.

“I feel very good,” he said. “My control was good and it was what I was looking for, and I felt really strong out there today.”

Colon said he was also pleased with his velocity and consistency.

“I’m thrilled with the way my arm has been responding,” he said. “I don’t know how hard I was throwing, but it felt very good.”

Even though he feels strong and confident, he doesn’t want to place a target date on a return; he’ll let the Red Sox make that decision.

“I feel great and the trainers have done a great job with me,” he said. “I’ve seen a great improvement from where I began [spring training] to where I am right now.”

The Cy Young Award winner (2005 for the Angels) has battled injuries the last few seasons, but he’s hoping he can return to form in 2008 and help the Red Sox repeat as world champions.

“The past two years have been tough,” he said. “But it’s that more gratifying to see the results finally starting to pay out. More than anything it’s great to be able to go out on the mound, even for a brief stint, and have some success. It’s very rewarding and shows that the hard work is paying off.”

Before Colon’s start at City of Palms Park yesterday, Sox manager Terry Francona said Colon adds experience and presence in the clubhouse.

“This guy has been a pretty special pitcher and there’s a decent chance he’s going to help us,” said Francona. “Sometimes some things just click. If it does, good for us.”

Injury report: Beckett, Lugo, Crisp

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett (back) continues to improve and may be able to play catch sooner rather than later. For the last few days the right-hander has said he is getting better, but with the team just six days away from leaving for its trip to Japan, it’s still not known if he’ll make the trip — albeit unlikely. … Red Sox management met with ailing center fielder Coco Crisp (groin) and shortstop Julio Lugo (back) yesterday to try to figure out when both can return to a normal routine. Lugo is scheduled to play today and said he should be able to make the Japan trip. At this point, it’s still not known if Crisp will go.

Four players sent down

The Red Sox made a few more transactions yesterday morning. Right-hander Devern Hansack and outfielder Jonathan Van Every were optioned to Pawtucket. The club assigned right-hander Lee Gronkiewicz and left-handers Jon Switzer and Michael Tejera to the minor-league camp. With Schilling now on the DL and Doug Mirabelli released, Boston has 40 players in major league camp.

jmcdonal@projo.com