Red Sox Send Rusney Castillo, Jackie Bradley Jr. to Triple-A

The spring competition for spots in the Red Sox outfield appears to be settled.

Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. have been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox announced on Thursday. The roster moves clear the way for Shane Victorino to start in right field and Mookie Betts to hold down center to start the season. With Hanley Ramirez set to patrol left field, Allen Craig and Daniel Nava remain in the outfield mix as backups.

Red Sox manager John Farrell made it clear from the start of spring training that Victorino would be in the starting nine if healthy. Farrell reiterated that sentiment on Wednesday even with Victorino hitting just .171 in 35 spring at-bats.

Castillo missed the first three weeks of Spring Training games due to a strained oblique, but made his Grapefruit League debut on March 20. He hit .310 in 29 spring at-bats with two home runs and five RBIs.

Bradley, meanwhile, put together a strong spring while everyone was talking about Betts, Castillo and Victorino. Bradley hit .378 in 18 spring games, while recording an OPS of .906. The question with Bradley is whether he can do it when the games matter, He had a similarly impressive spring two years ago, but has hit just .196 in 164 major league games.

The Red Sox also announced three players – pitcher Dalier Hinojosa, shortstop Deven Marrero, and catcher Matt Spring – were reassigned to minor league camp on Thursday.