On Monday, the Sox reportedly optioned Hideki Okajima to Triple-A Pawtucket along with newcomer Alfredo Aceves. Taking a pair of bullpen spots are southpaw Dennys Reyes and righty Matt Albers.
Is it the most surprising thing to come out of Sox camp this year? Aside from a 10-game losing skid (if anyone really cares), there have been a couple of surprisingly weak camp performances from some big-name players.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has a 10.50 ERA in seven spring outings, has allowed more earned runs (seven) than innings pitched (six) and strikeouts (five).
Cleanup hitter Kevin Youkilis is checking in with a .196 batting average as he has just 10 hits in 51 at-bats to go with no homers and four RBIs. The third baseman has more strikeouts (14) than total bases (12).
As for some good news, leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury, coming off an injury that derailed nearly his entire 2010 campaign, is red hot this spring. The center fielder has a .352 batting average to go with three homers and 12 runs scored, and he's looking comfortable and confident atop the dangerous new-look lineup.
Perhaps the most impressive player from Fort Myers this year has been infielder Drew Sutton. The 27-year-old utilityman put up a team-high 33 total bases thanks to one triple, two homers, six doubles and 19 hits overall. Tied with Ellsbury for a team-most 12 runs scored, Sutton postted a .339 batting average in 25 games heading into Monday's action.
What was the biggest surprise of spring training for the Red Sox?Market Research
