The Boston Red Sox beat out the Phillies, among others, when they signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo to a seven year $72.5 million contract earlier this summer.
Castillo has worked his way through the Red Sox farm system at an astonishing pace. In just two weeks the 27-year-old right-hander has played for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
With Pawtucket’s season coming to an end on Monday, plus the season ending thumb injury to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, it appears that Castillo will get the call up to The Show on Tuesday according to Red Sox beat writer Brian MacPherson.
Rusney Castillo expected to be among five final call-ups from PawSox on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. There are seven healthy players left on 40.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) September 13, 2014
Brock Holt who would have replaced Pedroia at second has been out since Friday suffering from illness and neck stiffness.
He was sent to Pittsburgh to see concussion specialist Dr. Michael Collins, which leaves outfielder Mookie Betts, who was drafted as a second baseman in 2011, as the winner of the open spot in the infield.
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With Betts moving from the outfield to the infield there will be room for Castillo to get playing time.
The logjam that could have kept Castillo either out of MLB for this year or at least off of the playing field has been cleared.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said that Castillo can expect to get a lot of playing time once he is on the big league roster.
NESN’s Ricky Doyle reported that the speedy Castillo will likely split time in center field with Jackie Bradley Jr. There is still plenty of time left in the season for Castillo to be able to get his feet wet and for the Red Sox to get to see if their $72.5 million man was worth the payout.