Red Sox DH Ortiz takes swings in cage

David Ortiz took swings in the batting cage after reporting to spring training Tuesday and said he's nearly fully recovered from knee surgery he had after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series.

"I feel good," he said, "getting almost 100 percent"

About two hours later, World Series MVP Mike Lowell showed up. He hit .400 with a home run and four RBIs to lead Boston to a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies. The first official team workout for all players is scheduled for Friday.

Ortiz spent about 60 seconds talking with reporters as he walked without stopping about 100 feet from the cages to the Red Sox clubhouse.

Boston is "definitely" the team to beat, the designated hitter said. "We're the world champions and we're going to play like it. We'll see what's happening."

The Red Sox made few changes in the offseason.

Ortiz batted .370 with three homers in the postseason despite an injured right knee. Nine days after the final game, he had arthroscopic surgery to repair damaged cartilage. He still hit a career-high .332 with 35 homers and 117 RBIs in the regular season.

"I think I will be training and running at full speed by January," he said at the time. "It was a simple operation."

On Tuesday, he reported to camp with a new, longer hairdo and, when asked about it, said, "why, you don't like it?"

He also said he talked Tuesday with pitcher Curt Schilling, who is expected to be sidelined at least until the All-Star break with an injured right shoulder. Schilling worked out in the morning in the clubhouse.

"He said he'd be all right," said Ortiz, who smiled then added, "You know, he's just trying to call people's attention" to himself.

Lowell signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract in November.

The only regulars who haven't shown up in camp are Manny Ramirez, Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp. There is no indication any of them will miss Wednesday's reporting deadline.

And all of them will have one ultimate goal.

"We'll see if we can win another World Series," Ortiz said. "That would be kind of fun."