Red Sox Minor Lines: Brock Holt starts his rehab

Pawtucket L 1-4

Rusney Castillo, CF: 1-4, 2 K

Brock Holt, SS: 1-3

Mike Ohlman, C: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K

Ivan De Jesus, 2B: 0-4, 1 K

Aneury Tavarez, RF: 0-3

Jeremy Barfield: 0-2, 1 BB

Chad De La Guerra, 3B: 0-3

Ty Buttrey: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (22 pitches)

Williams Jerez: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K (26 pitches)

Holt is officially on his way back, starting his rehab assignment on Tuesday and potentially being able to return this weekend. The infielder didn’t really stand out too much in this game with his one hit being an infield single, but that he’s back in action is a nice sign. On a more negative note, Barfield and De La Guerra have been really bad to start this season with batting averages of .134 and .137, respectively. On the other hand, it was a nice outing for Buttrey, who has had a rollercoaster year and could really use a string of nights like this.

Portland L 2-10

Danny Mars, LF: 0-4, 2 K

Cole Sturgeon, RF: 2-4, 1 K

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K

Tate Matheny, CF: 1-2, 2 BB, 1 K

Conrad Gregor, DH: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Jake Cosart: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K (49 pitches)

Tyler Thornburg: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (17 pitches)

Trevor Kelley: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (25 pitches)

Speaking of rehab assignments, Thornburg continued his with Portland to keep him closer to home, as the Sea Dogs were playing in Manchester. He continues to look solid and the reports coming out of these games are good, though the injury he’s coming back from and the track record of pitchers recovering from this surgery are keeping my expectations low.

Salem L 4-6

Santiago Espinal, SS: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 K

Brett Netzer, 2B: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 E

Roldani Baldwin, C: 1-4, 1 BB, 1 E, 1 PB

Jerry Downs: 2-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Tyler Hill, RF: 0-4

Tanner Houck: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 9 K (94 pitches)

The results weren’t great, but this is still an encouraging start from Houck as he really showed off his strikeout stuff for the first time this year. The righty struck out three more batters than his previous game-high coming into this game, and he did so while keeping the walk total relatively low. Clearly, there is still work to do, but that’s to be expected of a guy for whom the team has completely reworked the delivery. Patience is hard to have, particularly with college pitchers, but this is a unique situation and it’s required.

Greenville W 3-2

Lorenzo Cedrola, CF: 1-4

Victor Acosta, LF: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

C.J. Chatham, DH: 1-3, 1 R, 1 K

Zach Sterry, 1B: 2-4, 1 K

Emmanuel De Jesus: 4 IP 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K (51 pitches)

Acosta continues to be the hottest hitter in this Greenville lineup, but what’s most notable is that it seems Cole Brannen is getting more days off lately. I don’t think it’s due to injury, but rather than he’s had a rough start to the year and could likely use some time on the bench to get his head straight. It certainly doesn’t hurt that they have another viable center field prospect in Cedrola to hold down the fort in these games.

Player of the Day: There were a few good pitching performances here and De Jesus in particular was close, but I’m giving a shoutout to Victor Acosta for this one. The outfielder has been outstanding in Greenville of late and he’s someone I’m a little intrigued by. I saw him in Lowell a couple of years ago and like the bat-to-ball skills, but he never really progressed from there so I put him out of my mind. He’s still only 21, though, and he’s certainly progressing at the moment. He’s now hitting .351/.405/.571 to start the year. Seems good!