Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo was among those called up before Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Outfielder Bryce Brentz, third baseman Garin Cecchini, catcher/first baseman Ryan Lavarnway, left-handed pitcher Edwin Escobar and right-handed pitcher Heath Hembree also joined the Red Sox in what likely is the club’s final wave of September call-ups.
Castillo, who signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Red Sox last month, will bat seventh and play center field in his major league debut. The 27-year-old spent five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional before defecting and ultimately signing with Boston.
Castillo made stops with Triple-A Pawtucket (five games), Double-A Portland (four games) and the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox (two games) while preparing for major league action. He hit .293 (12-for-41) with a home run, five RBIs, seven runs scored, four doubles, five walks and two stolen bases in the 11 minor league games.
Cecchini, Lavarnway, Escobar and Hembree all have spent time with the Red Sox this season. This marks Brentz’s first stint with Boston since being selected in the supplemental round of the 2010 MLB draft.
The PawSox, who won the Governors’ Cup and became champions of the International League on Saturday, lost to the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday in the Triple-A National Championship Game in Charlotte, N.C.
The Red Sox now have 38 players on their active roster.
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