FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez said Friday that he was scheduled for an MRI later that morning and acknowledged he still has some discomfort in his throwing elbow.

"It's less every day, but it's good," he said. "Getting better every day. I'm happy for that."

Vazquez was scheduled to catch Joe Kelly in a minor league game here Friday afternoon, weather permitting. Vazquez would not be allowed to throw to bases, only back to the pitcher.

Vazquez has not played in a major league exhibition since March 13, when he reported he felt something in his elbow after throwing out Yankees minor leaguer Tyler Wade attempting to steal in a game in Fort Myers.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday that Vazquez had developed some soreness in his triceps, the muscle behind the elbow, which he attributed to Vazquez altering his throwing mechanics. He said the club has been working on Vazquez regaining his normal arm slot.

The MRI is the first imaging procedure Vazquez is undergoing since he hurt the elbow. Vazquez said he didn't know why he is being tested now.

"They know what they're doing," he said. "I trust them, you know. We have a good medical staff here."

The team is eight days away from breaking camp in Florida, which leaves little time for Vazquez to be ready for the April 6 regular-season opener in Philadelphia.

"I think I'm going to be fine, I hope I'm going be fine for Opening Day," he said. "That's the goal here.

"I want to be 100 percent to help the team. I need to be ready to help the team win. That's my goal: Be ready, be healthy. This is the first time in my life that I got hurt. I'm, you know, a little bit sad with myself for the first time [being hurt], but I'm fine."

Vazquez said he is well aware of the elbow injury that Matt Wieters, the Orioles' catcher, sustained last season, which led to Tommy John surgery.

"Yeah, man, it's tough," he said. "This is my food, my arm. I need to be healthy to help the team. I trust these guys and I'm going to be fine."