Red Sox's manager on Victorino: 'I wouldn't call him an underdog'

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell doesn't necessarily believe he's written off Shane Victorino the way the outfielder claimed he had earlier in the month. 

Victorino wasn't mentioned by Farrell during an interview where the manager discussed Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo and Hanley Ramirez as the likely trio to open the season in the outfield - to which the 11-year veteran took exception.

In response, Victorino labeled himself as an underdog and planned to use the comments as motivation, though Farrell doesn't quite believe that rings true. 

"I did read his comments where the underdog mentality is one that he’s always used as a motivator," Farrell told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. "I wouldn't call him an underdog at all. I would say that this is a very good player and looking forward to him being on the field for us. We're a better team if he's on the field every day."

Victorino is set to earn $13 million in the final year of his deal and claims he's heading into spring training healthy after missing all but 30 games last season with a back injury. 

The Red Sox outfield is especially crowded. Even despite the departure of Yoenis Cespedes, the team has Daniel Nava, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr. vying for time, in addition to Victorino, Betts, Castillo and Ramirez. 

General manager Ben Cherington said Thursday that the team isn't likely to make any major moves between now and Opening Day and is looking forward to see what Victorino can accomplish with a fire lit. 

"I think a motivated Shane Victorino out to prove something is a very good thing - for him and the Red Sox."