By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Just spoke to David Ortiz, who was taking his time settling into his chair in the clubhouse. His back was all wrapped up, part of the treatment for his spasms.

Big Papi said he felt it for the first time during the flight back from Tampa, something NESN's Heidi Watney reported yesterday. He intended to play yesterday and went through his usual pregame routine. But right before first pitch, he got spasms.

Ortiz said he's never had back issues like this before. He said it started in his lower back and is now mainly on his right side. He hopes to be back in a day or two.

"When I left yesterday I was feeling better. But I couldn't sleep last night. It tightened up," he said. "We're going to try a bunch of different (treatments) today."

No MRI is scheduled as it's a muscular issue. He did not try to hit today.