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The Red Sox offense is having trouble for a number of reasons. Mike Napoli and David Ortiz haven’t hit to expectations, Shane Victorino has had trouble staying on the field even as his bat begins to heat up, Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts are dealing with the growing pains of youth and Hanley Ramirez, for all the production of his early start, has been a non-factor in the lineup since he crashed into the outfield wall and injured his shoulder in early May. All of this is occurring at a time when the rotation seems to have sorted itself out, too, but even though they are allowing far fewer runs -- they possess a 3.77 ERA since May 5 and have averaged six innings per start in that time -- the lineup isn’t supporting them anymore.
Rusney Castillo could help change that. The Cuban-born Castillo signed a seven-year, $72 million deal with the Red Sox last August, but was optioned to the minors to begin the season after missing a significant chunk of spring training with an oblique injury. He then crashed into a wall, landing him on the minor-league DL, but since returning and getting his timing back, he’s batted .327/.368/.519 over his last 12 games at Triple-A.
Castillo is about as big-league ready as can be, and is 27 years old: the only reason he isn’t in Boston yet is because of that DL stint and in the last few days, paternity leave. The Sox could call him up to finally give Hanley Ramirez some time on the DL to rest his shoulder, or just to be there to play the outfield when Shane Victorino can’t, rather than using the struggling (and defensively inferior) Daniel Nava yet again. Castillo could hit near the top of the lineup, in the middle, at the bottom -- he can be something the Red Sox are missing, wherever that is, and at the moment, they seem to be missing a little too much in a few too many places.
- The Twins are ahead of schedule with their rebuilding, but that doesn’t mean they’ll keep winning like they have. They also don’t need to, since those wins are already in the bank.
- Madison Bumgarner faced Clayton Kershaw on Thursday, and he helped the Giants sweep the Dodgers by going deep against his lefty nemesis.
- Brewers reliever Will Smith was ejected for having a healthy dose of foreign substance on his arm. The Braves weren’t calling for Smith’s head, but would like him to hide things a little better next time around. Let’s check in with the always relevant analysis, from a former pitcher themselves: Does pine tar benefit pitchers?
- The Brewers shouldn’t retaliate against the Braves for snitching, either. Like Freddie Freeman said, just hide it better next time.
- Brad Ausmus is super dreamy, and almost inarguably the handsomest manager out there unless you’re really into Mike Matheny’s jawline. His players know of his dreaminess, and now they’re wearing shirts to let the world know of it.
- Hey, remember Batkid? The trailer for his movie has been released!
- The Dodgers suspended minor leaguer Erisbel Arruebarrena for the rest of 2015 for “repeated failures to comply with his contract.” That might be code for “not showing up and playing baseball like you are paid to do.”
- Last summer’s first-overall pick, Brady Aiken, is recovering from Tommy John surgery. That might not stop someone from the top-10 in this year’s draft from selecting him, however, with the Red Sox interested so long as his medicals check out.
- Kiley McDaniel explained the “Black Swan” theory of drafting pitchers, and it’s worth your time if for no other reason that one of this year’s top draft prospects, Carson Fulmer, is one such arm.
- Major League Baseball could learn a thing or two or five about the fan experience from Nippon Professional Baseball.
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