"Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon had been enjoying a placid spring training right up until he entered yesterday's split-squad game against the Twins.

Papelbon started the fifth inning and was able to get only one out before he was removed, having thrown 13 of 31 pitches for strikes.

Papelbon allowed a double by Jason Kubel before hitting Steve Holm and walking Alexi Casilla to load the bases. A sacrifice fly scored one run. Papelbon then walked Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Jason Repko, forcing in another run.

"He struggled with command, up in the zone,'' said bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who managed the team. "We didn't want to extend him any more than 30 [pitches].''"