Boston Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo has been placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Pawtucket with a shoulder injury.
Castillo was examined in Boston on Monday and prescribed rest and rehabilitation.
The Boston Globe, citing Major League sources, said the Red Sox viewed the diagnosis as “encouraging” because surgery is not needed.
Castillo, 27, signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Red Sox in August 2014. He has been bothered by injuries including thumb and oblique issues that limited his playing time.
Nervous start for Porcello
Right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello said he felt butterflies prior to his first start at Fenway Park as a member of the Red Sox. After signing a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension last week, Porcello showed Boston fans why he was worth it.
Porcello earned his first win as a member of the Red Sox on Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits over eight innings of a 9-4 win over Washington. He struck out six and walked one.
“I obviously wanted to go out there and put up a good start,” he said. “The guys swung the bats great and I didn’t really have to do a whole lot but throw strikes and just keep the ball down.”
Leon’s three-hit day
Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon recorded his first three hits as a member of the Red Sox on Monday with a 3-for-4 performance during the home opener against the Nationals, who traded him to Boston before the season.
With catcher Christian Vazquez lost for the season after Tommy John surgery, Boston is going with Leon and Ryan Hanigan behind the plate. Leon is set to play sparingly, but that could change if he continues to hit.