FORT MYERS, Fla. — Don’t call it a rotation competition. Call it a set rotation with a clear fill-in.

If everything breaks the Red Sox’ way, Eduardo Rodriguez –the guy with the highest ceiling – is actually the one who should be in Triple A on Opening Day.

That’s best for the Sox, whose starting depth is weaker than Pablo Sandoval’s right-handed swing.

A trip to Pawtucket really can’t hurt Rodriguez, who didn’t impress until September last season.

Rodriguez will still be a few days shy of 24 on opening day. He still has a world of potential. But he should show he’s truly healthy after a small knee scare again this offseason, and simply prove he can be consistent before entering the rotation.

This is a mythological world the Sox live in right now, where Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz all appear on their way to good health.

Manager John Farrell said he’d be open to moving a starter into the bullpen if he actually winds up with six guys available for five spots.

“I think a couple of different ways we could go with that,” Farrell said. “That’s one possibility, not knowing who that one would be to go to the bullpen. I think, more importantly, we’ve got to get everybody back up to game speed until we start to maybe address or consider those options.”

The trouble is there’s no clear spot for a starter in the bullpen.

Rodriguez is the only one of the starters who can be optioned to the minors. But go beyond roster technicalities.

Pomeranz and Wright had great first halves in 2016 and were All-Stars.

Rodriguez, not so much, with an 8.59 ERA in six starts. He was sent to Pawtucket in late June after giving up a career-high 11 hits and matching a career high for runs allowed, nine, against Tampa Bay.

But Rodriguez was excellent in September last year, with a 3.27 ERA, a .189 average against and 39 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Health has to be the biggest reason. A right patella subluxation in spring training screwed up his delivery well into the season. He tried to pitch anyway.

Over the winter, Rodriguez merely tweaked the knee. The situations do seem different. But he should prove it.

“My knee, my mind, everything is clear,” Rodriguez said.

That’s wonderful. The Sox should hope it true. Barring a stunning spring performance, it’s on Rodriguez to show he’s ready to repeat September before the Sox add him to the rotation.