FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Though the Grapefruit League season is still more than a week away, there was something to be said for Garrett Whitlock being the first pitcher to throw off the main mound at JetBlue Park on Wednesday’s opening day of Spring Training.

The fact that Whitlock threw live batting practice on the start day of camp was a big difference from a year ago, when the Red Sox smartly put the kid gloves on him in his return from right hip surgery.

There was something symbolic about Whitlock being first out of the gate in the succession of live BP sessions that will come for the next week or so.

“It means I'm walking and running and throwing normal,” Whitlock said. “Last year, I felt like I looked like I was barely walking around when I first saw you all. Now, I'm actually standing up straight and throwing and getting off the mound, so I feel like I'm back to myself.”

When Whitlock is himself, he is a key member of the pitching staff. Last year, he was injured and ineffective, posting a 5.15 ERA in 22 appearances, 10 of them starts.

At the team’s Winter Weekend event in January, Whitlock referred to himself as “the worst guy on the team last year.”

While that was an exaggeration, it is an example of how much Whitlock expects from himself.

Yet again, Whitlock's role isn’t certain at the outset of Spring Training. He will battle his best friend Tanner Houck and also Josh Winckowski for the final spot in the rotation. If he loses that battle, a high-leverage bullpen role awaits.

“Garrett’s in a great spot,” said Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey. “He's put a lot of work in this offseason. He threw live BP last week, too. He's a full go and ready to compete for that rotation spot. Today was very promising. His [pitch] shapes are locked, and his arsenal is in a good spot. He's trending in the right direction, and I think priority is his health, so he's in a really good spot now.”

The 27-year-old is probably the strongest he has ever been after an offseason of hitting the weights and getting his throwing reps in.

“I've been throwing bullpens since November, whereas this time last year, I hadn't picked up a ball until December,” Whitlock said. “So getting off the mound early, it's allowing me to really focus on pitch shape and making sure everything is getting where it needs to be.”

Bailey’s plan for Houck
Much like Whitlock, Houck struggled to be consistent last season, notching a 5.01 ERA in 21 starts.

What is Bailey’s plan to help get the talented righty back on track?

“Prioritizing goals for him is huge,” Bailey said. “Coming in, he’s another one competing for a spot in the rotation, and understanding that the history of baseball tells us that the more we're in the zone, chase [rate] goes up. Just being in advantage counts. So again, harnessing the arsenal and then creating structure and accountability behind the process and making sure you attack hitters.”

Cora misses first workout
The Red Sox were without their manager for the first workout of Spring Training. Alex Cora is battling a stomach bug, and the medical staff advised him to stay away from the team to avoid spreading it.