FORT MYERS, Florida — Christian Vazquez passed another test Saturday, testing his potent throwing arm during a simulated game at JetBlue Park.

Red Sox Manager John Farrell said it was a positive step and the Sox are ready to see the catcher, 11 months removed from Tommy John surgery, during a Grapefruit League game early this week.

Vazquez was so excited for the challenge, the 25-year-old said he was awake at 5 a.m. and “wanted to go to the field and show my arm.”

“I feel great,” he said afterward. “… I feel like I’m ready to play. Let’s see what happens. The guys in the office, let’s see what happens.”

Vazquez said his arm felt strong, he threw 100 percent and he’s ready for his final test, of the spring – proving that he can throw on a regular basis.

“I feel no pain,” he said. “No nothing.”

Despite suffering a minor setback when he pushed himself too hard earlier this spring, Vazquez still has an outside chance at forcing the Red Sox to consider him for the Opening Day roster. It seems like a longshot considering how committed the club is to 23-year-old switch-hitter Blake Swihart, but Vazquez brings a separate set of desirable skills.

“He makes my job easy,” said ace David Price, who threw to Vazquez. “I mean, he really does. That’s not taking anything away from the other catchers that we have here at camp, but just talking to guys that have thrown to him, his nickname is a young (Yadier) Molina. I definitely see that. He wants to be back there, he wants to work, and that’s always good to see.

“Making pitches to him, you might make a really good pitch and it’s a ball, but he makes it look so good you’re kind of like, ‘Where is that at?’ He does a fantastic job out there.”

Vazquez was a premier defender in 2014, catching 52 percent (15 of 29) of attempted base stealers and using his pitch-framing ability to, according to StatCorner.com, steal nearly two strikes per game more than the average catcher.

THE TEAM is still waiting for the swelling to die down in Eduardo Rodriguez’ right knee.

Rodriguez played catch again from flat ground, but the Red Sox are afraid to test him on a mound until his knee shows no sign of the injury he suffered during batting practice last weekend.

“Anytime there’s remaining swelling in there, we’ve got to let that be the guide,” Farrell said. “At least we’re able to keep his arm moving. But to ramp up intensity, that knee has got to be cleared up in terms of the overall swelling.”

The organization is far too concerned with the health and future of its prized young left-hander to push him this early in spring training.

RELIEVER CARLOS Marmol, in camp on a minor league deal, will miss the next two days “to get his visa squared away,” Farrell said.