Red Sox notes: J.D. Martinez waits, Blake Swihart celebrates return to health

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Day two, no news.

The J.D. Martinez Official Announcement has been put off for at least one more day, marking the second consecutive day in which an anticipated introductory press conference failed to take place.

Naturally, this led to rampant speculation that red flags had arisen on Martinez, whom the Sox agreed with Monday night on a five-year, $110 million deal.

If that’s true, no one has told agent Scott Boras that.

“I have no information from (the team) other than the review is not yet complete,’’ Boras told reporters.

Boras remains in the Fort Myers area with his client, awaiting word from the Sox on a confirmation and the scheduling of a press conference.

An industry source maintained that the Sox were merely completing their due diligence on Martinez’s medicals.

Some of that process has been complicated by the fact that the team’s head orthopedist, Dr. Peter Asnis, who had been on site to oversee physicals last week, has returned to Boston, making a review of x-rays and MRIs more problematic and time-consuming.

Martinez has a number of past injuries, including a Lisfranc fracture suffered last season, which cost him nearly a quarter of the season. But there were no indications the condition had produced any alarm on the part of the Red Sox.

Martinez’s arrival here Wednesday morning prompted expectations that an announcement was imminent. But the need to thoroughly review records and coordinate with doctors not on site has slowed the completion of the process.

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It was only four innings against Northeastern University, but Blake Swihart was more than pleased to be back behind the plate.

”I know we’re playing a college team, but it was a lot of fun, just to get back playing in a game and (making) some contributions,’’ he said.

Swihart didn’t have much fun a year ago. The after-effects of ankle surgery the year before, coupled with some new, nagging injuries, limited his playing time and effectiveness. He appeared in just 43 games at catcher for Pawtucket and another four with the Red Sox.

“I’m moving laterally again, and running again,’’ he said. “I feel great. Just getting into my squat (feeling healthy) makes it easier, running to back up first base, getting out of my squat. ... There’s a big difference. It’s just a lot more comfortable playing the game when you’re healthy.’’

It wasn’t until last September, shortly after when he was called up as rosters expanded, that Swihart could play pain-free last year. He further tested the ankle playing winter ball in the Dominican.

Swihart has the athleticism to play other positions, and he’s splitting time between taking grounders in the infield and fly balls in the outfield this spring. But first and foremost, he still sees himself as a catcher and doesn’t want to let those skills atrophy.

“Every day’s a catching day,’’ he said “and then I pretty much (take infield and outfield work) every other day. Every single day, I catch. One day I might do catching and infield and the next day I’m doing catching and outfield.’’

Swihart knows he’s being watched carefully and was particularly happy with a bases-loaded triple to center in the second inning.

“I put a good swing on a ball, hit it hard, ran, and felt good running,’’ concluded Swihart. “So, (it was a) good day.’’