Red Sox make catching decision, option Swihart to Triple-A

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell has made the decision on the two catchers he'll carry on the roster come Opening Day.

Blake Swihart was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, meaning Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez will make up the catching tandem when the season opens in a week.

The 24-year-old Swihart always appeared to be the odd one out heading into camp. He's the only one of the three catchers who still has minor-league options, and he's transitioning back behind the plate following a brief stint in left field last season that resulted in a season-ending ankle injury that occurred when he ran into the outfield wall at Fenway Park.

Swihart is the best offensive player of the three catchers and he continued to show that this spring, hitting .325/.386/.400 with two extra-base hits in 14 games. Where Swihart needs work, however, is on the defensive end and his game calling, something he'll be able to work on full-time while in Triple-A.

Following a breakout season in 2016, Leon struggled this spring, hitting .231/.259/.231 and has seen a strong challenge from Vazquez for the starting role. Vazquez is an excellent defensive catcher and appears to be fully recovered from a previous Tommy John surgery. He's thrown out five of six potential base-stealers this spring, and is hitting .233/.281/.367 with one home run in 11 games.

In addition to Swihart, utility infielder Deven Marrero was also optioned to Triple-A, while catcher Dan Butler and first baseman Sam Travis were reassigned to minor-league camp.