Daily Dose: Ready For Rusney
On Wednesday, Red Sox manager John Farrell said there was "nothing imminent" on the promotion of outfielder Rusney Castillo.
Apparently the word "imminent" is open to interpretation.
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Less than 48 hours after Farrell told reporters Castillo would be reporting to Triple-A Pawtucket after the birth of his baby, the 27-year-old was in the Red Sox' lineup and starting in right field Friday. Castillo went 1-for-4 with a run scored (and an error) in the 12-5 loss to the Angels.
Before the game, Farrell changed his tune, saying the club had always planned to promote Castillo on Friday.
“Looking for an injection and some life into the offense,” Farrell said.
Castillo received a seven-year, $72.5 million deal last year that leaves him out of the arbitration discussion, so the Red Sox have no reason to demote him or worry about service time. Now that he's in the majors, he should be there to stay.
The club also isn't paying him to be a reserve, so Castillo should find his way into the lineup most days. He played right field in place of the oft-injured Shane Victorino on Friday, but he split time between center and right in the minors and made all 10 of his appearances in center field during a late-season stint with the Red Sox last season.
The Sox gave Castillo such big money because of his five-tool skillset, a skillset that was on display in a short sample at Pawtucket this year. Castillo batted .293/.341/.440 with two home runs and six stolen bases in 18 games at Triple-A.
He should move up from the No. 8 spot where he batted Friday, but anywhere in the lineup he's a fantasy factor. Now that he's arrived -- ahead of schedule, right on time or otherwise -- Castillo should be in fantasy lineups everywhere.
Braun Showing Brawn
Ryan Braun got off to a bit of a slow start, but everything -- thumb included -- seems to be fine these days.
Braun had a big night at the plate Friday, doubling twice and homering in the Brewers' 11-0 win over the Braves. Braun had four RBI and two runs scored in the game, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances.
The homer was Braun's 11th of the year -- fourth-most in the National League -- and his fifth in his last eight games. Braun is now third in the NL with 33 RBI and his .538 slugging percentage is eighth-best in the league.
That wasn't always the case. After a pinch-hit appearance on April 27, Braun was batting .226/.273/.274 with just one home run and four RBI.
It's been quite a turnaround for the embattled outfielder.
"I feel good," Braun said after Friday's win. "It was just a challenge to get back to a good place with my swing. I'm working on my mechanics. I wasn't able to use my top hand for the better part of two years (because of an ongoing thumb injury).
"I'm just mechanically getting back to a good place where I can let the ball get a lot deeper. My bat path is a lot better, more consistent. It gives me a lot more room for error. It's nice to feel I've gotten back to a place where my swing is a lot more consistent than it was."
Braun remains one of the most offensively talented outfielders in the game, and recent results have been promising that he's still got some good seasons left in him.
Hanley Exits With Hand Soreness
One possible way into the lineup for Castillo presented itself during Friday's game.
Hanley Ramirez, who has served as the Red Sox' starting left fielder this season, exited Friday's game with left hand soreness. Ramirez was hit on the hand by a Garrett Richards pitch in the fourth inning.
Ramirez attempted to play through the pain but was eventually replaced by Daniel Nava at the top of the sixth inning. Farrell told reporters Ramirez was unable to grip the bat, leading to his exit.
A scan was performed at the ballpark Friday night and came back negative, but the club will likely conduct more tests before providing an outlook for the outfielder. More should be know about his availability going forward on Saturday.
National League Quick Hits: The Marlins took two hits Friday, placing both Mat Latos and Henderson Alvarez on the 15-day disabled list. Latos is dealing with left knee inflammation, while Alvarez, who started and took the loss Friday, is suffering from right shoulder inflammation. It was also learned Friday that Alvarez has been pitching through a mostly torn UCL "for years" ... Bryce Harper hit his 16th home run of the season in the Nationals' win. Harper is already approaching his career high in home runs, 22, which he did in 2012 ... Dee Gordon flashed his lighting speed Friday, stealing a career-high four bases in a loss to the Orioles. Gordon now has 16 steals, second in the league behind Billy Hamilton ... Gerrit Cole showed why he's the Pirates' ace Friday, fanning 10 while allowing only an unearned run over 8 1/3 innings. Cole fell two outs short of his first complete game, but he still owns an impressive 2.05 ERA and 63/14 K/BB ratio over 57 innings of work this year ... the Nationals activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list. Janssen has yet to pitch this year due to right shoulder tendinitis.
American League Quick Hits: Avisail Garcia was scratched Friday due to inflammation in his right knee. The knee has been giving him trouble in recent weeks and it may require a more serious assessment soon ... Prince Fielder found his power stroke Friday, homering twice in the Rangers' win over the Yankees. Fielder is hitting a strong .341/.397/.521 with seven homers and 27 RBI on the year ...Kendrys Morales provided all the offense for both teams Friday, homering twice and collecting five RBI in the Royals' 5-0 win over the Cardinals. Morales is now batting .305 with six homers and a .864 OPS ... Albert Pujols returned to the lineup and hit his eighth home run of the year in Friday's win. Pujols missed Thursday's game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch Wednesday ... Felix Hernandez limited the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings to earn his league-leading seventh win. King Felix has a 2.19 ERA and 63/14 K/BB ratio over nine starts ... not to be outdone, Nelson Cruz also grabbed the MLB lead in a prominent category Friday. Cruz hit his MLB-best 17th home run of the year in the Mariners' win.
