FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox, who have one of the strongest outfields in the Major Leagues, reassigned Rusney Castillo and Allen Craig to Minor League camp on Sunday.
In addition, righty reliever Noe Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Outfielder Brian Bogusevic, infielder Matt Dominguez, catcher Jake DePew and righty Hector Velazquez were also reassigned to Minor League camp.
Castillo hasn't been able to gain much momentum since signing a seven-year, $72.5 million contract as an international free agent in August 2014. Craig was once a top run producer for the Cardinals, but he's been unable to get his career back on track the past several years.
Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts make up Boston's starting outfield, and Boston will have a solid veteran off the bench in Chris Young. Super-utility man Brock Holt can also play all three outfield spots.
Where does that leave Castillo and Craig?
"On call at this point," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "They weren't going to make the Opening Day roster. Both are not on our 40-man roster, so that is another additive to all this. In our goal to get pared down as best possible over the coming days of this week, today was the first round of cuts. There's likely to be more tomorrow."
Craig will earn $11 million this season. The Red Sox hold a $13 million option on him for next season that includes a $1 million buyout. Castillo is owed $46 million over the next four seasons.
After showing some promise late in the 2015 season, Castillo came into Spring Training this past year as the starting left fielder, only to lose that job before camp ended. Given Castillo's age (29) and athleticism, the Red Sox are still hoping they can get something from him at some point.
"I think we're starting to see maybe a little bit more consistent approach at the plate," said Farrell. "Some of the early work, the cage work, the BP is carrying into the game. But as I mentioned to him in our sitdown meeting, it's not just about being able to run down a fly ball or put a good swing on a pitch. There's areas of the game that are equally important, and those are the small details inside of a game. That's part of being the best, complete player as one can be."
After Sunday's moves, the Red Sox have 42 players remaining in camp, including eight non-roster invitees.