FORT MYERS, Fla. — The makeup of the Red Sox pitching staff is becoming clearer. It’s pretty obvious now that Steven Wright is going to become the No. 5 starter while Eduardo Rodriguez recovers from his knee injury.

Roenis Elias, considered Wright’s only competition for the temporary No. 5 spot, worked one inning of relief against a Mets split squad in Thursday’s 4-1 win and picked up a save with a 1-2-3 ninth. Manager John Farrell said the Sox are interested to see Elias in a bullpen role. The Sox want a long reliever to start the season, and Elias could fill that job in addition to being useful against lefthanded hitters in one-batter matchups.

In either starting or long-relief roles, Elias and Wright appear to have spots on the roster.

“The one thing you look at is who can give you multiple innings and potentially up to four innings, particularly early in the year,’’ Farrell said. “That’s where [Wright] was so valuable to us at the beginning of last year. So we feel there are two very good options to provide that.’’

Elias retired two of his three batters by strikeout. Speaking through an interpreter after the game, the Cuban lefty said, “I felt good out there. I’ve been a starter my whole life, but now my focus is to be out there as a reliever. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want to be on the team and help the team win.’’

Matt Barnes is a leading candidate to fill a setup role in the bullpen. He is competing directly with Noe Ramirez for that spot.

Kimbrel zeroed in

Craig Kimbrel made his fifth appearance of the spring and struck out all three batters he faced in the eighth. Kimbrel has not allowed a hit in his last four outings. Overall, he has nine strikeouts in five scoreless innings. “It’s good to get outs and to get my work in,’’ said Kimbrel. “I don’t want to look into results too much, good or bad. I am ready to go.’’ . . . Reliever Carson Smith (flexor strain in right arm), who is likely to start the season on the disabled list, returned to the clubhouse Thursday morning and said, “I’m disappointed, but relieved that it’s not worse. The pain has subsided substantially. It’s very good progress so we’ll see how the next few days play out.’’ . . . Koji Uehara has what Farrell termed “general soreness.’’ Uehara threw from 150 feet Thursday and may pitch a bullpen session Friday. He could get into a game Sunday. Farrell said there are no concerns about his readiness for the season. Uehara has appeared in only two Grapefruit League games.

Minors moves

Lefthanders Henry Owens and Brian Johnson were optioned to Triple A Pawtucket, along with righthander Heath Hembree. Outfielder Ryan LaMarre, righthanded reliever Roman Mendez, and first baseman Sam Travis were assigned to minor league camp. Farrell on Travis: “Strong camp. For a young player to face quality velocity early in camp. You marvel at his ability to sit for two hours and get up and square up mid-90s type velocity. His hands work really well. For the first year in a major league camp, he’s done everything he could possibly do to impress.’’ . . . The Sox now have 39 players in camp, including three pitchers headed for the disabled list: Smith, Rodriguez, and Brandon Workman. Veteran righthanded reliever Carlos Marmol remains in camp but is not in the mix for Opening Day. “He still has to continue to come along,’’ Farrell said. “We still like what he can provide. There still needs to see some additional arm strength built up and some additional command.’’

Home game for Tiant

Luis Tiant returned to camp after his two-day trip to Cuba with Major League Baseball. It was the second time Tiant has been back in Cuba since he left in 1960 to pursue his baseball career. He was able to have breakfast with seven members of his family.

“They came into the hotel and we had a meal,’’ said Tiant. “The last time I was there [in 2007], they weren’t allowed in the hotel.

“I saw some good changes. The people there, they were so happy to see that game. Everybody was talking about it.’’

Tiant met President and Mrs. Obama after throwing out the first pitch before Tuesday’s game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban national team.

“The president, he said, ‘What’s happening?’ to me,’’ Tiant said. “His wife said, ‘Mr. Tiant, it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ They were very nice to me.’’

Tiant also shook hands with Cuban leader Raul Castro. He said he was conflicted as to what to do but thought he should show respect as a representative of Major League Baseball.

“I know how people feel about him,’’ Tiant said. “But I was not going to put my hand behind my back. I hope the trip we made and what was said will help the people in Cuba.’’

Class act

One more great thing about Travis Shaw: He went to Kent State and plans to visit the campus to throw out a ceremonial first pitch when the Sox have a scheduled day off in Cleveland April 5 . . . Poor Allen Craig did not bat, but came in as a defensive replacement for Hanley Ramirez at first in the ninth . . . David Murphy, on the cusp of retirement, batted with two on and two outs in the seventh and struck out after fouling off multiple 0-and-2 pitches . . . L.J. Mazzilli, son of Lee Mazzilli, struck out against Kimbrel in the eighth.

Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at dshaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @dan_shaughnessy.