It was only a matter of time: Rusney Castillo is set to make his 2015 big-league debut.
The Boston Red Sox outfielder has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket, and he’ll be in the lineup Friday night as the Sox open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Castillo will hit eighth and play right field.
With the Red Sox offense sputtering, they can use all the help they can get right now, but that’s especially true in regards to right field. Boston right fielders are hitting just .156 this season with just seven extra-base hits and a .496 OPS. Castillo certainly earned the call-up, though. He was hitting .302 in his last 10 games at Pawtucket, including eight hits in his last four games.
Pablo Sandoval is out of the lineup again after taking a pitch to the knee Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers. He pinch hit Thursday night, but apparently isn’t quite ready to return to the starting lineup.
Rick Porcello will start on the mound for the Red Sox, and Garrett Richards gets the ball for the Angels.
Red Sox (19-22)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Brock Holt, 3B
Rusney Castillo, RF
Blake Swihart, C
Rich Porcello, RHP (4-2, 4.26 ERA)
Angels (21-20)
Erick Aybar, SS
Mike Trout, CF
Albert Pujols, 1B
Kole Calhoun, RF
David Freese, 3B
Matt Joyce, LF
Chris Iannetta, C
Marc Krauss, DH
Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Garrett Richards, RHP (3-2, 2.29 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
