Shane Victorino to return to switch-hitting with RF job up for grabs

Shane Victorino is willing to do anything to separate himself from the logjam of outfielders in Boston.

The Boston Red Sox right fielder is attempting a return to switch-hitting this spring, he revealed to WEEI's Rob Bradford.

"Everything feels great," Victorino said about his transition back to hitting from both sides of the plate. "It's something I've been successful at and that I would like to go back to. The body feels good, and we'll go from there. It's a good thing to have in your back pocket, being able to switch-hit."

Victorino abandoned hitting from the left side in 2013 due to hamstring and thumb injuries, but he obviously knows a return to switch-hitting could make it tougher on manager John Farrell to exclude him from the lineup. Farrell has declared the right field job is Victorino's to lose, but young stud Mookie Betts is also vying for playing time.

Victorino's numbers suggest he's a superior hitter from the ride side (.865 OPS) compared to the left (.724). New hitting coach Chili Davis, who was also a switch-hitter during his playing days, is optimistic Victorino can regain his previous form.

"It's probably going to come back quicker than he thinks," Davis declared.

Victorino will have a short leash in right field as Brock Holt, Jackie Bradley Jr., Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Betts can all play the position and will be hungry for at-bats.