FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Francisco Cordero had five straight seasons of 34 or more saves until he wound up in the bullpen of a team managed by John Farrell.
That was Toronto, in 2012. Cordero had two saves, blew three, was saddled with a 5.77 ERA, gave up seven home runs in 34 1/3 innings and lost the closer's job. He also was traded to Houston, which released him.
Demonstrating that he evidently harbors no grudges, Farrell will take another crack at managing Cordero this spring, the Red Sox having signed the right-hander with 329 career saves to a minor-league deal with a major-league invitation.
Cordero, who had surgery on his knee and his non-throwing shoulder last April and sat out the 2013 season, comes with no promises, Farrell said.
"He'll be here [Monday]," Farrell said. "This is a guy who's got a lot of experience on the back end, and I had personal familiarity with him in Toronto. Given some of the numbers in camp, there's been nothing guaranteed to [Cordero]. A chance to come in and demonstrate what he still has."
Pitchers who have yet to report are non-roster lefties Rich Hill and Jose Mijares. Knuckleballer Steven Wright has a hernia issue that needed to be addressed surgically, Farrell said, and while he is expected in camp this week, he will be behind. Another non-roster pitcher, John Ely, is 10 months beyond Tommy John surgery and is still in a throwing progression program.
