Red Sox spring training: Blake Swihart leads group sent to minor-league camp

The Red Sox have trimmed down their spring training roster even more on Monday morning, sending down a couple of high-profile youngsters along with a couple other depth pieces.

The highlight here is that Blake Swihart has been optioned to Triple-A. While this was always seen as inevitable, it is still something of a disappointment to some. There is an argument to be made that he is the most talented catcher in the organization, but since he was the only backstop with minor-league options he’ll have to wait to prove it. He had a hell of a spring, though, and it won’t be too long before he gets that chance.

The other big name to be optioned was Sam Travis. Like with Swihart, this was an inevitability. Also like Swihart, Travis had an incredible spring, which happened to be his second straight one of those. With Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez ahead of him on the depth chart, Travis will need an injury to get him some major-league playing time. If he plays well in Triple-A, though, the everyday first base job is in his future.

Also being sent down were Deven Marrero and Dan Butler. Marrero, of course, is a former first round pick who is known for his glove. He, however, is behind Brock Holt, Josh Rutledge and Marco Hernandez on the backup infielder depth chart. Butler is a catching depth option who will begin the year as Pawtucket’s back up.