With Young nursing tight quad, Castillo in left
This browser does not support the video element.
BOSTON -- Already thin in left field minus Brock Holt (concussion) and Blake Swihart (severely sprained left ankle), the Red Sox didn't have Chris Young for Thursday night's 5-1 loss to the Orioles.
Young has been experiencing some tightness in his right quad and the Red Sox are confident they can knock the injury out with one night of rest.
The development gave Rusney Castillo a chance to start for just the second time this season. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and made a running grab on a liner by Paul Janish.
This browser does not support the video element.
The outfielder who came over with such promise from Cuba has been unable to get untracked in the Major Leagues and has spent most of 2016 at Triple-A Pawtucket.
"This has been a tough role for Rusney, the one of being on the bench," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Coming to the States, he's been an everyday player, played regularly when he's been healthy in Pawtucket or even here last year.
"Being on the bench and trying to work through a change in routine to stay prepared has been an adjustment for him. The fact that he gets a start here tonight, get him on the field, the one thing he's done very well since moving to left field is play exceptional defense in that spot."
Young has been Boston's primary left fielder lately. Since Swihart went on the disabled list, Young is hitting .290 with three homers, six RBIs and a .946 OPS in 31 at-bats.