Bryce

Brentz

He should be good to go in the next day or so. Brentz returned to the Red Sox on a minor league deal over the winter and figures to serve as outfield depth in Triple-A this winter.

A blast from the past for Boston fans; Brentz spent eight seasons in the organization before the Pirates picked him up a year ago. He later landed with the Mets, and he hit .263/.329/.586 in 57 minor league games last year. Brentz has ample power and would be a good enough option as a corner outfielder against left-handers to warrant a bench spot if teams were still rostering 14 hitters. Since that’s not the case, he’s going to find himself back in Triple-A this year.

Brentz came up with the Red Sox and made it to the majors with them briefly before spending last season at Triple-A in the Mets organization, hitting .263/.329/.586 with 16 homers. He’s now 30 and is simply a depth guy.

The specifics of the injury aren’t yet known, but Brentz said it’s “nothing serious” and expects to be ready for the start of the minor league season. Brentz spent the majority of 2012 at the Double-A level and likely would have been among the first cuts in spring training. While his path to the majors is currently blocked, he could make an impact with the Red Sox at some point in 2013.

Cherington confirmed that Brentz shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun, and is no longer on the spring training roster. However, the injury is not considered serious, and the Red Sox don’t expect him to miss any time during the season. A supplemental first-round pick in 2010, Brentz spent the majority of last year at the Double-A level, where he batted .296/.355/.478 with 17 home runs and 76 RBI in 122 games (456 plate appearances).

Brentz is behind the other players in camp after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun in January. He is currently hitting and throwing on flat ground, but he has yet to spring at full speed. Still, the Red Sox expect him to be ready by the time minor league games begin on March 13.

Brentz got a late start this spring after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun in January, but he’s back to 100 percent. The 24-year-old outfielder is a .276/.335/.479 hitter over his first three professional seasons and was ranked as the organization’s No. 8 prospect by Baseball America over the winter.

An expected move, Bryce is now protected from December’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old batted .264/.312/.475 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI over 82 games in Triple-A in 2013, a year which included a six-week absence after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He possesses raw power, but hasn’t made much progress with his plate discipline.

Brentz is a legitimate outfield prospect, though one wonders if he’ll ever be good enough to start for Boston’s high-powered offense. Last year, he disappointed with his .312 OBP in Triple-A, but he did manage to collect 17 homers in 326 at-bats for Triple-A Pawtucket. As scarce as right-handed power is, he rates as valuable depth for the Red Sox.

“I haven’t been doing much at at all,” said Young. “I just know it’s going to be a while.” It’s not saying much but Young has been Boston’s most productive left fielder this year, hitting .277 with six homers and a .508 slugging percentage through 130 at-bats. Young’s injury should give the Red Sox even more incentive to land an outfielder at the trade deadline. For now, left field duties will be shared between Brock Holt and Bryce Brentz.