Rusney Castillo Shifts Into Leadoff Spot As Red Sox Close Out Series In Bronx

The Boston Red Sox will trot out a reworked starting lineup for their series finale at Yankee Stadium.

Rusney Castillo gets the nod in right field Thursday after coming off the bench in the first two games of the three-game set, and he’ll bat out of the leadoff spot for the first time in his major league career.

Brock Holt had led off the previous seven games with Mookie Betts sidelined but had struggled, going hitless in his last 14 at-bats. Holt will sit out Thursday, with utility man Josh Rutledge taking his place at second base.

It will be Rutledge’s second start for the Red Sox since his trade from the Los Angeles Angels last week. The 26-year-old has gone 1-for-7 with a run scored and two strikeouts for Boston.

Here are the full starting lineups for both teams:

RED SOX (48-60)
Rusney Castillo, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Ryan Hanigan, C
Josh Rutledge, 2B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (6-3, 4.34 ERA)

YANKEES (60-46)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Brett Gardner, LF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Chris Young, RF
Chase Headley, 3B
John Ryan Murphy, C
Didi Gregorius, SS
Brendan Ryan, 2B

CC Sabathia, RHP (4-8, 5.54 ERA)

Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images