The Boston Red Sox will have to reshuffle their lineup for a while after finding out Friday that Trot Nixon will be out until May and Nomar Garciaparra might miss opening day.

Nixon is sidelined because of a mildly herniated disc in his back. He has not played at all in spring training.

Garciaparra had an MRI exam that showed mild tendinitis in his right Achilles’ tendon.

The Red Sox hope Garciaparra can play in two weeks, coming very close to Boston’s opener in Baltimore April 4. General manager Theo Epstein was optimistic after tests indicated both should fully recover.

“Nomar will be back by opening day and Trot will be back some time in early May, and we can withstand that,” Epstein said. “They’re both being treated conservatively.”

Manager Terry Francona plans to use Gabe Kapler and Kevin Millar, the regular first baseman, in right field until Nixon returns. If Garciaparra isn’t ready by opening day, second baseman Pokey Reese will play shortstop.

David Ortiz, Boston’s designated hitter, figures to see more time at first base, which could provide more at-bats for designated hitter Ellis Burks. Mark Bellhorn is the primary backup infielder.

Garciaparra had a removable boot on his right foot Friday that ended about six inches below the knee. The device immobilizes the area.

“I still plan on being there opening day,” he said. “The good thing is it’s happening now and not in the middle of the season.”

The MRI showed no injury to the tendon or the bone, but the inflammation is in an area that is slow to heal, Garciaparra said.

Garciaparra is 0-for-8 in spring training. He went 0-for-2 with a walk in the last game he played Wednesday, a 3-1 win over Cleveland.

“It was feeling all right and it obviously showed that it wasn’t ready,” he said. “It just got aggravated even more.”

Elsewhere, players’ union head Donald Fehr said he never expected commissioner Bud Selig would immediately try to implement tougher testing policies and punishments related to steroid use.

There had been speculation Selig might use his “best interests of the game” powers to modify the steroid policies in the existing labor agreement between players and owners.

“I don’t think it was ever seriously considered. I never treated it seriously,” Fehr said after visiting Cleveland players at Winter Haven, Fla.

Fehr said the union had not closed the door to modifying the steroid-testing provisions in the agreement with owners that expires in 2006.

He stressed that discussing potential modifications and reopening the entire agreement were not one and the same.

“It’s a bare-bones legal question,” Fehr said. “Your landlord can’t raise your rent if you have a lease that states what the rent is. But you can agree to pay more rent if you wish.”

Red Sox 11, Pirates 8

At Fort Myers, Fla., Pedro Martinez struck out seven in four innings and Manny Ramirez went 3-for-3 for Boston. Martinez allowed two hits, two walks and one unearned run and left with the Red Sox leading 9-3. Ramirez was just 5-for-29 entering the game but had two singles, a double and three RBIs.

Mariners 8, Giants 5

At Scottsdale, Ariz., Barry Bonds hit his first two home runs of the spring. The six-time MVP has been bothered by back trouble since arriving in Arizona, sitting out for several days after tweaking his lower back in batting practice last week. He connected twice against Ryan Franklin.

Athletics 8, Angels 5

At Phoenix, Eric Chavez hit a home run in his first at-bat since signing a contract extension with Oakland. He received a six-year deal worth $66 million Thursday.

White Sox 9, Cubs 3

At Tucson, Ariz., Jon Garland pitched six innings and Juan Uribe hit his third home run of the spring for the White Sox.

Devil Rays 7, Reds 5

At Sarasota, Fla., Cincinnati’s Cory Lidle became the first pitcher in the majors to go seven innings this spring. He allowed three earned runs and seven hits, striking out five.

Astros 5, Expos 1

At Viera, Fla., Wade Miller pitched four scoreless innings. He had been hit hard in his previous two outings for Houston, allowing seven runs in six innings.

Rangers 9, Diamondbacks 4

At Surprise, Ariz., Brad Fullmer drove in three runs for Texas. His tiebreaking single off Matt Mantei keyed a seven-run seventh inning.

Phillies 9, Tigers (ss) 1

At Lakeland, Fla., Vicente Padilla made another strong start, pitching Philadelphia over a Detroit split squad. He allowed one run and four hits in five innings.

Orioles 3, Dodgers 1

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sidney Ponson became the first Baltimore starting pitcher to go six innings. He yielded one run.

Marlins 7, Cardinals 6

At Jupiter, Fla., Dontrelle Willis was hit hard despite allowing only one earned run in two innings for Florida.

Twins 9, Blue Jays 3

At Dunedin, Fla., Carlos Silva pitched five shutout innings for Minnesota. Torii Hunter, Nick Punto and Michael Cuddyer hit solo home runs off Toronto starter Pat Hentgen.

Mets 8, Braves 2

At Kissimmee, Fla., rookie Tyler Yates gave up his first earned run of the spring, pitching four innings for New York.

Tigers (ss) 9, Yankees (ss) 8

At Tampa, Fla., Jason Smith had a two-run double and Omar Infante had a two-run triple as Detroit roughed up New York opening day starter Mike Mussina for seven runs and 11 hits in two innings.

Yankees (ss) 10, Indians 1

At Winter Haven, Fla., Donovan Osborne, trying to become the Yankees’ fifth starter, pitched four strong innings.