to look like a former All-Star in live batting practice.

Justin Masterson threw the ball free and easy Saturday in his first shot against hitters, and he said after that it was a positive step toward reestablishing himself. Masterson, an All-Star in 2013, was plagued by injuries with Cleveland and St. Louis last year before signing with Boston in December.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Daniel Nava is going to try switching out of being a switch-hitter. He is taking on a huge chore this spring in learning how to hit left-handed against left-handed pitchers.

The Red Sox think their outfielder can be more productive if he only swings from the left side of the plate, and they have a litany of statistics to support their cause. Nava, 32, is a career-- The Red Sox don't expect to run wild on the basepaths this season, but they do hope to have more skill at stealing bases. Boston was one of just seven big league teams with fewer than 70 stolen bases last season, and it ranked 17th in stolen-base percentage (.716).

Brock Holt led the Red Sox with 12 stolen bases in 2014, and nobody else was able to reach the double-digit steal plateau. Part of that was due to injuries and inconsistent personnel, and manager John Farrell hopes his players are able to be a little more successful and daring on the basepaths in 2015.

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Farrell: Opening Day