Rusney Castillo Sent To Triple-A Pawtucket
BOSTON (CBS) -- The $72 million man will start the season in Pawtucket.
The Red Sox announced Thursday afternoon that outfielder Rusney Castillo was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was also sent down.
The move confirms what manager John Farrell has said throughout camp -- Shane Victorino will be the Red Sox' starting center fielder.
With Hanley Ramirez in left and presumably Mookie Betts in center, the outfield bench will likely consist of Daniel Nava and Allen Craig. Utility man Brock Holt also proved capable of making appearances in the outfield.
The Red Sox signed Castillo last August to a seven-year deal worth $72.5 million. The Cuban appeared in 10 games for the Red Sox last season, batting .333 (12-for-36) with one double, two home runs, three walks and six strikeouts.
This year in spring training, the 27-year-old Castillo is hitting .310 with two home runs in nine games after missing a chunk of time due to an oblique injury early in camp.
The demotion likely will ensure that Castillo gets to play every day for Pawtucket, rather than sitting on the bench in Boston. Prior to last year's short stint with the Red Sox, Castillo hadn't played in Cuba since the 2013 season.
