Rusney Castillo (thumb) has been cleared to participate in the Puerto Rican Winter League, WEEI.com reports.

Castillo (thumb) has been cleared to participate in the Puerto Rican Winter League, WEEI.com reports.

Analysis:

A bruised thumb cut Castillo's time in the Arizona Fall League short, but he was recently examined by the team's medical staff and cleared to participate in winter ball. The original plan was for Castillo to log 200 plate appearances between the AFL and the Puerto Rican Winter League, but he'll likely end up falling close to 50 shy of that target, as he made just 39 trips in the Fall League and will get about 100 at-bats this winter with the Criollos de Caguas. He'll join the team Nov. 26.