Rusney Castillo’s ascent officially has begun.
Castillo began working out at the Red Sox’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday, kicking off what Boston obviously hopes is a long, successful tenure with the organization.
Castillo recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Red Sox, marking the richest deal ever given to a Cuban player on the international market. He’s expected to join the Red Sox at some point in September, but the 27-year-old outfielder first will spend some time getting back into the swing of things after not playing in a baseball game in roughly a year and a half while defecting from Cuba.
“He’s good,” Laz Gutierrez, the Red Sox’s player development programs coordinator, told The Boston Globe following Wednesday’s workout. “He’s a great kid, a blue-collar guy. He’s a humble guy that loves the game and is ready to work.
“He definitely understands what he’s got himself into. He knows the responsibility that comes with that. He works his tail off.”
Castillo ran, threw and hit as part of Wednesday’s workout, which lasted 90 minutes, according to The Globe. He also signed autographs and reportedly flashed a few smiles amid the attention he received at Fenway South.
Castillo is expected to go through a similar workout Thursday while gearing up for his arrival to Major League Baseball.
Photo via Twitter/@BGlobeSports
