Fewer primary DHs left in A.L.

Big Papi was a big hitter, and that was really his only duty for most of his 20 major league seasons.

So when David Ortiz retired last year after more than 2,000 games as a designated hitter, baseball lost one of the few remaining players who rarely played the field.

Going into the 45th season since the designated hitter was approved for the American League, more managers now appear willing to spread around the DH starts instead of putting the same player in that slot just about every day.

Spring roundup

TWINS 5, RED SOX 3 >> ByungHo Park hit a tworun homer and drove in three runs for Minnesota. Park’s drive to left in the eighth was his sixth of the spring.

Twins right-hander Ervin Santana allowed three runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Xavier Bogaerts and Pablo Sandoval homered for Boston. Rick Porcello, who will start on opening day for the Red Sox, pitched four innings of two-run ball. YANKEES 3, BLUE JAYS 1 >> Jordan Montgomery kept alive his bid for a spot in the Yankees rotation, tossing five innings of one-run ball.

New York reassigned infielder Tyler Wade to minor league camp, likely paving the way for Ronald Torreyes to start at shortstop on opening day with Didi Gregorius sidelined by a strained right shoulder.

Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ allowed two hits and one run in four innings. BRAVES 2, METS 2 >> Adonis Garcia had an RBI double for Atlanta, and Blake Lalli homered.

T.J. Rivera singled in a run for the Mets, and Tim Tebow went 0 for 3 with a walk.