FORT MYERS, Fla. – Pitcher Robert Person says he’s been virtually assured he’ll make the 40-man roster of the Boston Red Sox.

“They gave me a nod. Nothing’s in ink yet, but it’s pretty much, yeah,” Person said after breezing through two scoreless innings in a Triple-A game Wednesday, the Red Sox’s lone off-day this spring.

Person had a contract clause requiring Boston to put him on the roster by Friday or risk losing him to another team.

It’s still unclear whether Person would start the season with Boston or perhaps stay in Florida for extended spring training as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Manager Grady Little has indicated he make carry 11 pitchers instead of 12, which could make it hard to fit Person into the bullpen.

But Person said he believes he’ll be with the team on opening day.

“I see myself being with the team,” he said. “That’s what I’m here for. That’s what I work hard for.”

Person struck out two, allowed one hit and hit one batter on Wednesday.

“Right now it’s just a matter of fine-tuning,” he said. “It’s about trying to get better each outing.”

Person was 5-4 with a 5.44 ERA in 16 starts for Philadelphia last season, but didn’t pitch after July 22 because of shoulder surgery. He won 15 games in 2001.

“Every time I go out there I feel like I’m trying to prove and get back to where I was two years ago,” Person said. “I sometimes forget these things take steps. You can’t just jump back to being a 15-game winner, all in a few weeks.”

Pawtucket lost 3-1 to the Rochester Red Wings, the Minnesota Twins’ affiliate. Chris Coste drove in Freddy Sanchez with a first-inning run for the Red Sox’s only run.

Notes: Frank Castillo also pitched in Wednesday’s Triple-A game. He gave up two hits and no runs in three innings. … Pedro Martinez was slated to pitch Thursday when Boston hosts Detroit. … Boston reliever Matt White had treatment after tweaking a back muscle Tuesday against Minnesota. … Manager Grady Little had planned to pitch John Burkett Wednesday but decided not to use him, even in a simulated game. He said Burkett needed the excitement of a major league contest. … The Red Sox announced special family prices, reducing most seat prices 25 percent for 17 home games in April, May and September.

AP-ES-03-19-03 1645EST