Colon

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Jon Lester is guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation this season, but that doesn’t mean he’s not trying to make a good first impression.

Yesterday hardly qualified as one.

Lester couldn’t get an out in the second inning in the Sox’ 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins, issuing four walks while being charged with five runs — four unearned — in his first outing of the spring.

“Obviously, I had command issues,” said Lester, “and it’s hard to get people out when all you have is your fastball. Maybe I was just a little nervous, a little amped up, and I overthrew.”

“He wants to [be] perfect,” said manager Terry Francona, “and I think he was fighting himself a little bit.”

Noting the demands Lester makes of himself, even on March 1, pitching coach John Farrell said, “That’s something we’ve had to work on with Jon. That’s good to a point — you’d rather have someone care too much than not enough. But it can be something that works against you.”

In his estimation, Lester threw some quality changeups, but his curveball was lacking. He had difficulty throwing his fastball for strikes, but when he did, he liked the life on it.

“I threw some down the middle that they were late on,” he said.

Farrell noticed that Lester yesterday “had a tendency to get spread out in his delivery and it caused him to yank some pitches. As the inning kind of unraveled, he seemingly never got into his rhythm.”

Lester, who battled non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2006 and last year, continues to be asked about his recovery, though he clearly would like to move past his illness.

“That was a year ago,” he said. “Hopefully, I can put all that stuff behind me and be a normal pitcher. I just want to push [the battle with cancer] back and go out and pitch.”

Papelbon to try remedy for migraines

Jonathan Papelbon, who pitched a scoreless fourth inning, said he was still being bothered by migraines that dogged him last season. Papelbon believes they originate because he tends to grind his teeth while he sleeps.

“When I get them [migraines],” he said, “they shut me down. When I do get them, they take a lot out of you. … I can’t open my eyes.”

Papelbon said there were a “only a couple” occasions last year when he came to the ballpark and told Francona that he was unavailable because of the migraines.

He said the Red Sox medical staff was going to give him a dental mouthpiece to alleviate the teeth grinding, and, by extension, the migraines.

Papelbon, who a year ago came to camp projected as a starter, is happy to be starting this spring in his accustomed role as closer.

“I know what I need to do,” he said, “and I know what I need to do to be successful. I have my [spring training] routine set. It’s just a matter of going out and doing it.”

Lowrie at shortstop — and elsewhere

Jed Lowrie got a start at shortstop, which the Sox believe is his best position. He can also play second and third.

“But I think anyone who can play short [well],” Francona said, “you want to have him there.”

Lowrie will get work at the other infield positions this spring — perhaps even first, where he’s yet to play — but the Sox aren’t developing him to be a role player.

Lowrie is too young and too good to be assigned such a limited role.

“He’s not looked at as a utility player,” Francona said. “But I think if something happened [to one of the Sox’ starting infielders], he can play almost anywhere.”

Colon ‘working hard’

The Red Sox remain encouraged by what Bartolo Colon might be able to give them this season.

“Sometimes,” Francona said, “you get guys at the right time. They’re hungry and they want to prove something.”

While stopping short of saying the club would like Colon to drop some weight, Francona noted the veteran right-hander “has been working hard.”

Around the bases

Boston and Minnesota combined for 16 walks. … Brandon Moss’ RBI single in the eighth provided the winning run for the Sox. … Tim Wakefield makes his spring debut this afternoon against — who else? — the Twins. Also scheduled: Clay Buchholz, Javier Lopez and Hideki Okajma. … As the Red Sox prepare to host their first major-league game at City of Palms Park today, the Sox have sold out 62 straight home Grapefruit League games there. … Papelbon forgot his jersey top and wore Manny Ramirez’s No. 24 yesterday. “I could feel the dreadlocks flowing,” Papelbon joked.

smcadam@projo.com