Justin Haley interrupted the phone conversation to take another call.

“Our air conditioner was out and that was the repairman,” Haley explained from his rented residence in Fort Myers, Florida. “We’ve been burning up the last couple of days.”

Justin Haley, who struggled last season with the Portland Sea Dogs, has made some adjustments in the Arizona Fall League and spring training, including an encouraging spring start with the Red Sox. The Associated Press

Soon that should not be a problem.

“I know. We’ve been watching the weather up there,” Haley said.

Haley, 24, is expected to be among the Portland Sea Dogs arriving in town early next week. They will get situated, then bus to Reading, Pennsylvania for the April 7 opener. The home opener at Hadlock Field is a week later, April 14.

Haley cannot wait. A new season officially turns the page on 2015. Last year was not a kind one for the Sea Dogs (a franchise-worst 53-89 record) or the right-handed Haley (5-16, 5.15 ERA).

“We’re all competitive, especially at this level,” Haley said. “We want to be at our best and be the best. Anyone will tell you (2015) was frustrating.”

For Haley, it was step backward after a promising end to 2014 – 3-2 record, 1.19 ERA in six starts with the Sea Dogs after a promotion from advanced Class A. Baseball America ranked Haley as Boston’s 24th- best prospect after that year.

But then came 2015, which was a season-long tease. Haley struggled but kept looking like he would recapture his groove. He would throw a shutout, then allow five runs in three innings in his next start. Haley dropped out of the prospect rankings.

“It was a learning experience for me,” Haley said, offering no excuses. “You get to the point you just have to better yourself.”

Haley was a sixth-round draft pick out of Fresno State in 2012. His fastball can be effective – up to 93-94 mph with some sink. When the change-up is on, and the curve and slider are working, Haley is dynamite. But all those pitches have to be in play.

“Justin Haley learned about himself last year and he understands some things he needs to do to get better,” Sea Dogs pitching coach Kevin Walker said from Florida. “He has worked on his off-speed and has really used it more in his games.”

Haley began applying improvements in the Arizona Fall League. He initially wasn’t invited to the prospect-heavy competition but subbed in for teammate Kyle Martin, who had another commitment.

In four starts (14 innings), Haley struck out 12, walked two and put up a 0.64 ERA.

“I made an effort to make the adjustments I needed to make,” Haley said. “Anytime you’re successful, it’s something to build on.”

Haley’s experience appears similar to that of first baseman Travis Shaw. Promoted to Portland late in 2011, he shined, then struggled mightily in 2012, unable to right his mechanics. Shaw performed well in Arizona that fall and got his confidence back.

It would be a wonderful story to tell if Haley to continues to follow Shaw’s lead (bounce-back season and now in the majors).

Haley’s spring is going well. He tossed a shutout inning in the exhibition game against Northeastern, then started two Triple-A games (while the Triple-A pitchers were still in major league camp) and threw three shutout innings in both.

“He has taken what he did in the Arizona Fall League and carried it over to this spring,” Walker said. “He is pitching with confidence. … Instead of relying heavy on his fastball, he knows that as a starter, he must be able to mix his arsenal.

“I think he was really challenged last year and had to deal with big-time adversity. I think that type of adversity will drive him to make the necessary changes and become a better pitcher.”

Haley faced some adversity last Saturday when Boston started him in a major league spring training game for the first time, against the Baltimore Orioles. Clay Buchholz was scheduled to pitch but the Red Sox didn’t want him facing a divisional opponent, so Haley was slotted in.

Haley began by hitting Joey Rickard with a pitch. He allowed three runs in the first, all with two outs. In the second inning, Baltimore loaded the bases with one out, but Haley struck out Manny Machado and Chris Davis to end the threat. In the third, Haley gave up a two-run homer to J.J. Hardy.

Final line: three innings, six hits, five runs, two walks, one hit batter and three strikeouts.

“There were a lot of positives I took from that game, even though it didn’t look like it from a numbers standpoint,” Haley said. “It gave me a lot of confidence. I have some adjustments to make but they are very much within my reach.”

Haley will make one more minor league spring training start, and then it’s time to pack. The Red Sox haven’t announced their minor league rosters but Haley is expected to return to the Sea Dogs’ rotation.

“I have an extra level of experience with myself, and understanding where I am, and understanding what I have to do to be successful,” he said.

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