Aceves: ‘It's like a dream, to start'

FORT MYERS, Fla.Alfredo Aceves, whose role to start the season has yet to be determined, has a dream.

Its like a dream, to start, he said. Being the first pitcher in Major League Baseball, thats a dream, of course. Thats something that every single pitcher tries to be.

Manager Bobby Valentine knows that.

I love dreams, Valentine said. Dreams are good. He expressed that to me earlier in spring. I know where hes coming from.

Aceves went six innings in Thursdays 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays. He gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

I think hes one of the better pitches that we have in camp, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said of Aceves. Hes pitched well. Fan out of gas a little at the end,. I thought, but other than that hes a very good pitcher. And he pitched well today.

But, whether Valentine plans to help Aceves dream come true remains to be seen. Aceves was one of the Sox most valuable and versatile pitchers in 2011. He made four starts in his 55 appearances last season, his first with the Red Sox.

Aceves, though, said he wont be disappointed if hes not in the Sox rotation to start the season.

No, you know why? he said. Its hard to get a job. This job is really unique, and I think looking at the other hand, we have to be glad to have a job, to play with the Red Sox.

Aceves outing Thursday was much cleaner than his previous start, March 24 against the Phillies, when he last just three innings after giving up nine runs on 10 hits and a walk.

I feel the same, Aceves said. I feel good. My bodys getting used to, and getting the rhythm, the temp of the game.

Asked if he thought his pitches are where they need to be, Aceves replied:

Well, the innings are going to tell you what to do. But not thats why we came every day to work and do the little things. It makes a big, big difference in the game.

But, overall, hes happy with how his spring has gone.

Im exactly where I want to be, he said.