BOSTON — The offseason for the Boston Red Sox didn’t last too long.

Just over a month after winning their second World Series title in four seasons, the team’s pitching staff returned to Fenway Park in late November to participate in an offseason evaluation process, which management felt was necessary to prepare for spring training properly.

“We felt it was our responsibility to bring guys in for a check up, no more than that,” said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. “We just want to make sure progress is being made towards the individual program that’s been laid out for them from a physical standpoint. This provided the opportunity to do that in one setting rather than others flying around the country to check up on people.”

According to Farrell, it was a combination of guys who had different needs, including Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Mike Bowden and Caleb Clay.

The Sox’ pitching coach said the team didn’t want to get to spring training and learn of some “surprises” that could possibly hamper the staff’s progress.

“It’s our responsibility we’re up to date on every individual pitcher,” said Farrell.

The biggest offseason concern for the Red Sox was with Buchholz, who needed to be shut down at the end of the season due to shoulder fatigue. The rookie right-hander, who no-hit the Baltimore Orioles in his second major-league start on Sept. 1, was told on Sept. 28 by general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona that his season was over because the team wasn’t happy with the pitcher’s strength and mobility — among the things the organization tests for on a regular basis.

At the time Buchholz said he wasn’t happy with the decision, but understood the organization’s concern for his health and future. According to Farrell, Buchholz has made improvements during the offseason. The 23-year-old needs to mature physically, but he has proven to the team that he can be effective in the Sox’ starting rotation with his repertoire that includes four above-average pitches: fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.

Along with improved strength in the shoulder, the Red Sox would like to see Buchholz improve his overall command of his fastball.

“There have been gains from a physical standpoint,” said Farrell. “In retrospect, it was certainly the right decision to deactivate him at the time. He is making progress, but he still has some work to do, particularly since we project 180 to 185 innings for him next year. There’s still some work to be done to build that foundation to endure that load.”

As part of his offseason routine, Buchholz spent time at the Athletes’ Performance Institute in Pensacola, Fla., and is set to return to Boston and participate in the organization’s rookie development program in January.

“We do have some mechanisms and structure in place that will prepare him best for the start of spring training,” Farrell said.

The other aspect of its pitching staff Boston has been contemplating during the offseason is the possibility of a six-man rotation for the 2008 season. Baring any loss of pitchers via trade, the Red Sox have Josh Beckett, Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Wakefield, Lester and Buchholz as their rotation. Matsuzaka, in his first year in the majors last season, showed signs of fatigue late in the season because he worked every fifth day, opposed to every sixth which he was accustomed to in Japan.

In fact, every pitcher in the Sox’ rotation could benefit from an extra day off.

“It’s important to acknowledge that yes we have had some informal discussions on the six-man rotation and the pros and cons to it,” said Farrell.

He also said the schedule and travel situation for the team certainly plays a role, basically calling it a balancing act.

“Most importantly we want to keep all of our pitchers as healthy and as strong as possible so we can get into September and beyond,” said Farrell.

The added rest would be a bonus, but a pitcher is so used to a five-day schedule that deviating from that norm could have a negative effect.

“When you’ve got a young healthy pitcher who is accustomed to a five-day rotation where he feels the most sharp and when you get past the five days of rest you begin to take away some of the command and sharpness that a pitcher can have,” explained Farrell.

The Red Sox haven’t settled for mediocrity. They expect every one to be ready for spring training and the organization has taken the proper steps to ensure that.

jmcdonal@projo.com