Castillo in ‘tough spot,' not headed to Triple-A just yet

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CLEVELAND -- Outfielder Rusney Castillo, buried on the Red Sox depth chart for now as their fifth outfielder, could eventually be optioned to Pawtucket for more regular playing time, John Farrell hinted Wednesday -- but not anytime soon.

In his weekly appearance on WEEI, Farrell said the time could come when Castillo would benefit from the opportunity to play every day. Currently, Castillo is behind Chris Young on the depth chart, with three starting outfielders -- Brock Holt, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts -- ahead of both.

"Every player, you want to make sure that he's getting regular (playing) time,'' said Farrell, "and with his role right now, it's a challenge to get the regular at-bats. I can't say that we've gotten to the point where we're looking to make a change. I won't rule that that might come up in conversations as we go forward, but we're not there yet.''

Castillo was the presumed starter in left field at the beginning of spring training, but a poor Grapefruit League performance (.183/.246/.200) led the Sox to look at other options.

For now, Holt will play left against righthanded starters. When the Sox face a lefty, the righthanded Young will be the first option off the bench.

That leaves Castillo without much of a role, despite the $72.5 million investment the Sox made in him two years ago.

"He's in a tough spot and no one denies it,'' said Farrell. "We've had sit-down conversations with him on what his role is going to be and how we make the most of it. And yet, at the same time, we're looking to put the best team on the field and that's where we are. It's not an easy position to be in.

"(Being on the bench) is a role he's not accustomed to because of how often he played in Cuba before coming over here. We're working to make the best of it.''

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