April 2, 2015 at 5:46 PM
Red Sox option Bradley and Castillo to Pawtucket, among latest cuts
The Red Sox Opening Day roster is a little clearer after a series of roster moves announced by the team today.
Headlining the moves is the optioning of outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. (pictured) and Rusney Castillo to Pawtucket, all but confirming that Shane Victorino will be Red Sox' starting right fielder to begin the season. Bradley made a solid case for a shot at the majors in spring training, batting .356/.442/.422 in 18 games. Castillo, on the other hand, battled an injury that took him out of the lineup for a brief period during the spring. But after a slow start in early March, Castillo ended up going 8 for 25 in eight games during Grapefruit League action.
In addition to the Bradley and Castillo moves, reliever Dalier Hinojosa, catcher Matt Spring, and shortstop Deven Marrero were reassigned to minor league camp. The 29-year-old Hinojosa allowed six hits and four earned runs in his 6 1/3 innings of work this spring, but managed to rack up 10 strikeouts. Spring, 30, put up very strong offensive numbers in big league camp, hitting .385 with a 1.236 OPS over 12 games. Marrero, who will entering his first full season in Pawtucket this year, batted .300 with a .344 on-base percentage in 33 plate appearances this spring.
As Opening Day draws closer, the Red Sox now have 38 players left in major league camp, a group that includes 30 active members of the 40-man roster, seven non-roster invitees, and one player on the disabled list.
Katie Morrison is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieMo61