FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine said closer Andrew Bailey will travel to Boston on Monday to have his right thumb examined.

Valentine made the announcement after Sunday’s 5-1 win over Minnesota Twins.

Bailey, who was acquired in a December trade with the Athletics, has not pitched in a major league game since March 25, against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He pitched 12/3 innings in a minor league game on Wednesday.

Bailey was delayed at the start of spring training because of a strained lat suffered during the vertical leap portion of his entrance physical.

In addition to the minor league outing, he has pitched six innings in six Grapefruit League games this spring, with an 0-1 record and a 4.50 ERA.

The extent of Bailey’s problem is not known. Valentine said it began bothering Bailey during the March 21 game in Bradenton against the Pirates, but Valentine was not made aware of it until Friday.

After his outing on Wednesday, Bailey didn’t mention any problem, saying:

“I’ll probably go two out of three (days) and then probably have the two days off, in (Washington,) D.C., and the off day (Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively),” he said.

“And then be ready for opening day. So we’ll probably do a game, off, game, and then the two days off and then opening day.

“I’m ready to roll.”

Bailey missed time with injuries each of the past two seasons. He began last season on the disabled list with the Athletics because of a strained right forearm. He missed time in 2010 with a right intercostal strain then made his final appearance on Sept. 17 before undergoing right elbow surgery on Sept. 24.

If Bailey is put on the disabled list or unavailable for a stretch, the Red Sox have options.

 

VALENTINE ANNOUNCED the final two spots in the rotation will be filled by left-hander Felix Doubront and right-hander Daniel Bard.

They will join Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and Clay Buchholz. Right-hander Alfredo Aceves, who was also vying for one of the rotation spots, will go to the bullpen, partly because of his versatility and experience there.

Valentine said part of the decision was because of Bailey’s health issue.

“It seems that with Aceves being the very key component three days ago he’s even more of a key component now,” Valentine said.

 

DUSTIN PEDROIA and Adrian Gonzalez each went 2 for 4 with a double and the Red Sox beat the Twins 5-1 win at Fort Myers.

Garrett Mock earned the win for the Red Sox. He threw two scoreless innings, allowing Chris Parmelee’s home run.

Carl Pavano took the loss, dropping his Grapefruit League record to 0-3 with a 6.17 ERA. He went 52/3 innings, allowing four runs and seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

 

THE SOX optioned catcher Ryan Lavarnway to Triple-A Pawtucket. They have 40 players in big league camp, including 29 from the 40-man roster, two on the 60-day disabled list, and nine nonroster invitees.