Red Sox manager Farrell says Victorino starting right fielder if healthy

Shane Victorino proclaimed all offseason that he'll be the starting right fielder for the Boston Red Sox, and it appears he's been granted his wish before spring training for position players even opens. 

"If Shane Victorino is fully capable and fully healthy, he's our right fielder," manager John Farrell told Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. 

Victorino took exception to Farrell's comments earlier in the offseason when the manager failed to mention the 34-year-old as a potential candidate to lead off this season, while hinting that Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo would be the trio to start in the outfield. 

The 10-year veteran then labeled himself an underdog to land a starting outfield role, however, Farrell viewed the situation differently.

"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 in late January. "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 appeared in 122 games for the Red Sox in 2013, but was limited to 30 a season ago due to an ailing back that eventually required surgery. 

With Ramirez and Castillo expected to be locks in the outfield, Farrell will be tasked with finding at-bats for Daniel Nava, Allen Craig and Betts.