Rusney Castillo projects to open 2016 as Boston's starting left fielder, MLB.com reports.

Castillo projects to open 2016 as Boston's starting left fielder, MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

Manager John Farrell indicated Castillo will be in left with Mookie Betts in right, flanking Jackie Bradley in center. Castillo signed a record-breaking $72 million contract in August of 2014, but an oblique injury and Betts' emergence pushed him to Triple-A to start 2015. He eventually came up to hit just .252/.288/.359 in 80 games with the Red Sox, with a .225/.263/.292 line in September. Chances are, Castillo will have to swing his way out of a bottom-third spot in the batting order.