Red Sox slugger Bobby Dalbec, shown here last season, had two homers Wednesday in Boston's spring training win over the Twins. (AP photo)

Bobby Dalbec hit his second and third homers, driving in three runs. J.D. Martinez had two hits for a second straight game, driving in his first two runs of spring training as the Boston Red Sox downed the Minnesota Twins in a seven-inning game. Hunter Renfroe had a three-run double in an eight-run fourth inning.

José Berríos allowed one hit in two shutout innings and Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer in his first game. Mitch Garver hit a solo homer.

LESTER HAVING SURGERY

Washington Nationals former Cubs and Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester is leaving spring training camp to have surgery for the removal of his thyroid gland.

The 37-year-old Lester was to travel from West Palm Beach, Florida, to New York on Wednesday; the Nationals said the operation is planned for Friday.

“Hopefully he can pitch again in about a week,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “We want him to get it taken care of now, so it’s not an issue.”

In 2006, Lester’s rookie season with the Boston Red Sox ended early because he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. He underwent chemotherapy treatments and returned to the Red Sox at spring training before the following season.

Lester is entering his 16th year in the majors and first with Washington. He was a free agent and joined the Nationals on a $5 million, one-year contract after playing the past six seasons with the Chicago Cubs.

BOONE TAKES LEAVE FOR PACEMAKER

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone took a leave of absence from the team to get a pacemaker and intends to return to work in a few days.

The Yankees said the procedure was performed Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, and went as expected. Boone remained hospitalized overnight.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a short-term thing,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “I do applaud him for being very open and honest.”

Bench coach Carlos Mendoza took over as acting manager for Wednesday night’s exhibition against Toronto in Tampa.

Boone, 47, said in a statement the medical team is “confident that today’s surgery will allow me to resume all of my usual professional and personal activities and afford me a positive long-term health prognosis without having to change anything about my way of life. I look forward to getting back to work in the next several days.”