Red Sox begin shaping roster with first round of cuts

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Following the only scheduled off-day of the spring, the Red Sox made their initial cuts, trimming 11 players and reducing the number of players in camp to 47.

Four players were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket: INF Michael Chavis; LHP Josh Taylor; RHP Travis Lakins; RHP Chandler Shepherd.

RHP Denyi Reyes was optioned to Double-A Portland.

Six players were re-assigned to minor league camp: C Austin Rei; OF Rusney Castillo; INF Tony Renda; 1B Josh Ockimey; RHP Carson Smith; and RHP Mike Shawaryn.

Most, of course, were not surprises, but a few made an impression.



"Some of the guys are not a finished product,'' said Alex Cora. "They've got to get their reps and keep getting better. But I learned a lot from a lot of them. I hadn't seen them play, like Michael (Chavis). Last year, he was hurt during spring training. I had a chance to see him play, swing the bat. (Josh Taylor), we got him in the trade and I was able to see him play. Lakins, I got a chance to see him pitch.

"So it was a good learning experience for (me and them). We count on everybody and to win this whole thing, it's going to take more than the 25 players we'll take to Seattle. Injuries, slumps, a lot of stuff happens throughout the season and they know that there's a chance they can contribute.''

Of the group, Chavis seemed to make the biggest impression with four homers and 10 RBI in 22 at-bats.

"He can hit,'' said Cora in admiration. "I think everybody knew it except me. I didn't see him last year (because) he was hurt. You see the numbers and the video but you see it in a game, and yeah, he can swing the bat.''

The Sox utilized Chavis at first and second base. He'll move around the infield (third, first and second) in Pawtucket.

"He just needs to keep improving,'' said Cora, "and use that right-center gap. He can do that. That's something we talked about. And keep improving defensively. That's something we'll make sure we take care of that. He knows it. It's not easy when you're moving around, but we'll have something structured for him so he can get better.''