David Murphy isn’t trying to start his 2016 season in the minor leagues.
The 34-year-old outfielder was invited to the Boston Red Sox’s spring training as a non-roster invitee, but Murphy opted out of that deal Sunday. The Red Sox have 48 hours to respond to Murphy’s decision, meaning he’ll either be on the major-league roster or be a free agent by Tuesday.
For Murphy, though, the move is nothing personal. He just wants to play in the majors.
“We’ll see what happens,” Murphy said, per CSNNE’s Sean McAdam. “I’m holding out hope that I end up here, but all the same, like I mentioned, I’d like a big league job somewhere. So I’m going to keep getting my work in because Opening Day is coming up quickly.
“There’s no hard feelings either way. It’s the business side of baseball. They might work out, they might not. It’s not like I came in here, 100 percent thinking I was going to make this team. I was thankful for the opportunity. But as a veteran player, it’s nice to have the luxury to opt out sooner, to give myself the biggest window until Opening Day to try to find a job if it’s not going to be here.”
Murphy still can play with the Red Sox until they make a decision. Murphy is batting .273 (9-for-33) with three RBIs in 14 spring training games with Boston.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
