FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox made a series of moves ahead of Tuesday's Grapefruit League clash with the Yankees, optioning five players and re-assigning two others to Minor League camp.
Among the players optioned was righty Pat Light, who has an upper-90s fastball and an improving splitter.
Light could get to Fenway Park at some point this season if he continues to improve his command.
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"He's got a big arm," said manager John Farrell. "There's no denying the velocity. Two keys for him for further progression are going to be consistent fastball location, and can he throw that split for strikes? That's the one pitch that allows him to get back into counts. It gives him a second pitch to get guys off his fastball. The refinement of those two are the difference from Pawtucket to Boston."
This was the first time in big league camp for Light, who was selected 37th overall by the Red Sox in the 2012 Draft.
"He's not a finished product. But he got exposed to some Major League hitters here, which is all you're trying to get accomplished here in the first year of camp," said Farrell.
The club also optioned outfielder Bryce Brentz, infielder Sean Coyle and left-hander Edwin Escobar to Pawtucket while sending lefty Williams Jerez to Double-A Portland. Third baseman Chris Dominguez and catcher Ali Solis were re-assigned to Minor League camp.
Light is ranked No. 15 among the organization's prospects by MLBPipeline.com, followed by Jerez (20) and Brentz (30).
The Red Sox have 48 players remaining in big league camp, including 35 who are on the 40-man roster.