FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It will still be "a couple of days," Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell said, before Pablo Sandoval's aching back will feel well enough for him to resume taking ground balls at third base. And a quick check of the calendar shows only 10 days until the Red Sox begin the season.

All of this begs the question: Is Sandoval running out of time to be the Opening Day third baseman?

"Not ruled out," Farrell said.

Said Sandoval: "I'm going to be where I want to be."

Pablo Sandoval says his back is getting better, but time may be running out for him to the Red Sox's Opening Day third baseman. AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

Presumably, Sandoval means third base at Progressive Field in Cleveland. With each passing day, though, it becomes more likely that Travis Shaw will get the nod April 4 against the Cleveland Indians. Shaw was already outplaying Sandoval this spring, and last week, Farrell surprised everyone by declaring an open competition for the position.

For the conspiracy theorists who doubt the veracity of Sandoval's injury, Farrell and Sandoval are telling the same story, namely that he began experiencing low back stiffness Wednesday morning, one day after making a diving stop on a hard-hit ball by Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Sandoval stayed in the game for another two innings, exiting only when the other Red Sox starters did, but reported to JetBlue Park on the team's day off Wednesday to be checked out by trainers.

On Friday, Farrell described Sandoval's condition as "improved", noting that he was able to walk on a treadmill. Sandoval said he feels "way, way, way better"; his back is loosening up enough that he was able to resume throwing. He said he might test his back by taking a few ground balls Friday.

"It's going to be difficult to start doing stuff, but [Thursday] I started doing the little program that we're doing," said Sandoval, adding he has never had back problems. "I started feeling better today."

Farrell reiterated that the Sox don't believe Sandoval will need to open the season on the disabled list, once again classifying his status as "day-to-day." Sandoval, however, couldn't say when he might be ready to play in an exhibition game and offered a curious answer to the DL question.

"It's not my decision," he said. "I'm just working to get better. I don't make that decision. I just focus to one day be back on the field."

Stay tuned.