Mookie Betts is in line to be Boston's starting center fielder after news broke that Rusney Castillo was diagnosed with a left-oblique strain, ESPN Boston reports.

Betts appears to have an early leg up in the competition to be Boston's starting center fielder with the news that Rusney Castillo has been diagnosed with a left oblique strain, ESPN Boston reports.

Analysis:

The early timetable on Castillo's return is a week, but that could linger on. By the time Castillo's ready to play again, he'll probably need some extra time to prepare for the regular season. That would mean Betts becomes the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.