FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was a routine question and answer before a spring training game, Red Sox manager John Farrell confirming that he planned to give infielder Travis Shaw some work in left field over the coming days.

But when asked if Shaw’s role as a utility player with offensive capabilities was coming into focus, Farrell threw up a stop sign.

“I would say yes, the outline to it is becoming a little bit more clear,’’ he said. “But I want to be clear and also [say] that I don’t want to limit him, either.

“I don’t want to limit him in the sense that is he just a corner utility player. There could be the potential for more here. We’re not in a place in spring training where we’re going to shut that down. He could be competing for regular at-bats.’’

In other words, Pablo Sandoval will not necessarily be the third baseman when the Red Sox open the season on April 4 in Cleveland. Sandoval, Farrell said, understands he has to earn his job.

“I think he’s very well aware of it,’’ said Farrell. “Yes.’’

Sandoval started at third base against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday and belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

Facing the estimable Michael Wacha, Sandoval drove a low changeup out to center field. Sandoval hit the ball hard and got a bit of help from the wind to clear the wall.

Sandoval has hit .250 in spring training with an .847 OPS. He gave up switch-hitting last season but worked over the winter on his righthanded swing and has looked much improved from that side.

The big concern has been his inept play at third base. Sandoval has four errors in 12 games and has shown little range.

The extra weight he carries clearly impacts his play in the field. Sandoval also is a detriment on the bases.

“[Saturday] was a good showing for him. He swung the bat well,’’ Farrell said. “There’s no denying his work, the amount of work he’s putting in, the intensity in which that work is being carried out.

“As he’s aware, the work has to translate to performance for any and all of us. He understands that this is about us putting the best team on the field from Day 1 and games in April are equally important to any other time of the year. It’s our job to get out of the gate with the best team on the field.’’

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did not sign Sandoval to a five-year, $95 million contract. Former general manager Ben Cherington did.

If Farrell decides he wants Shaw at third base instead of Sandoval, Dombrowski risks nothing by granting his approval. Sandoval is not his player.

For Farrell, it’s a decision with far-reaching implications. The Sox have finished in last place for two consecutive years and again have a payroll over $200 million. If the Sox are not playing well early on, Farrell could be out of a job by Memorial Day.

Showing confidence in a player such as Sandoval is not worth getting fired over.

Shaw has done his part, hitting .419 in 11 games with a 1.132 OPS. He has played 41 innings at third base and only five at first base. That is partly an acknowledgment of his experience at first base but also a clear challenge to Sandoval.

“We’ve got 2½ weeks to go here. [Shaw] has done a very good job to date. He’s played, I think, a solid third base,’’ Farrell said. “I don’t want to pin him into a corner. I understand and respect the questions. We want his bat to contribute, more so than maybe a regular utility or backup bench player.’’

Shaw has said for weeks that he approached it like a competition.

“I want to make it hard for them to decide. That’s really it,’’ he said. “I’ve tried to do everything I could. I feel like it’s been a good spring for me.’’

On the pitching side, it’s noteworthy that Steven Wright is lined up to start against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday with Henry Owens following him.

That indicates the Sox are leaning toward having Wright in the rotation to start the season instead of Owens or Roenis Elias.

The Sox went into camp with their rotation set. But a spot opened up when lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez injured his left knee on Feb. 29. He has yet to appear in a game.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.