Castillo Expected To Be 'Game Ready' By Wednesday
BOSTON (CBS) -- John Farrell isn't sure if Rusney Castillo will be ready for Opening Day, but he is confident the Red Sox outfielder will be "game ready" by Wednesday.
Castillo, who has been out the last two weeks with an oblique injury, is scheduled to take live batting practice on Monday, another step forward in his recovery.
"He's going to take live BP [today] and throw to bases tomorrow. He's passed every physical baseball test we've put him in front of to date," Farrell told reporters in Fort Myers, Florida on Monday. "He's responded well to the strain of the oblique, so that's our plan right now."
Castillo took some soft toss batting practice on Sunday, so he's progressing towards a return to the field. But when he does return, it's unclear where the 27-year-old will factor in to a crowded battle for the three starting outfield spots.
Boston has Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Allen Craig all fighting for a starting job, with Castillo about to join the mix again. Given his injury, and with Opening Day just three weeks away, Castillo will likely be on the outside looking in when he returns. Ramirez, Victorino and Betts (who is batting .400 this spring) appear to be the early favorites to be in Farrell's lineup.
Castillo played in 10 games for Boston last season, batting .333 with two home runs, a double, six RBI and six runs scored. The Red Sox signed the Cuban outfielder last August to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract.
