Rusney Castillo call-up could jump-start struggling Red Sox offense
It’s Rusney Castillo time in Boston.
The 27-year-old outfielder has been called up for the Red Sox’ three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels this weekend. The promotion comes with the Sox’s struggling offense in need of a boost.
Castillo is set to join a team that has scored a meager 2.3 runs per game in May, last in the majors during that span. After boasting the third-best offense in baseball over the first month of the season, production has dropped from 5.1 runs per game in April to 3.8 through May 21. With a regular lineup compromised of mostly right-handed hitters, the Sox are hitting below the Mendoza line when facing southpaws, batting a league-worst .198.
Since returning from the disabled list on April 29 following a shoulder injury, Castillo has been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s reached base safely in all but one game since May 5, hitting .327, while his OPS stands at .781 for the year. Castillo’s contributions were highlighted in back-to-back, three-hit games on May 15 and 16 against the Columbus Clippers. In the first of those games, he hit two homers, plated four runs and notched 10 total bases.
After signing a historic seven-year contract worth $72.5 million with the Red Sox last summer, Castillo made 10 major league appearances in September, going 12-for-36 with two home runs, six RBIs, three walks and three stolen bases.
Castillo left the PawSox for four days earlier this week to attend the birth of his child, but was back with the team on Thursday for their game in Louisville.
He alone might not be the answer, but the highly-touted Cuban phenom could play a key role in helping the offense get on track after what has amounted to the Sox’ worst 41-game start since 1997, when they began the year 16-25.
History of great Red Sox rookies
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