The opt-out date in outfielder David Murphy’s minor-league contract with the Red Sox is this coming Sunday, and he could consider retiring rather than playing in the minors, John Tomase of WEEI.com writes. “I think I’m to the point in my career where I’ve played plenty of baseball, and I don’t think I’m interested in playing in the minor leagues,” says Murphy. “I would love to play until somebody tells me I can’t play anymore, until they rip the shirt off my back, but I think it’s got to be a big league situation.”

Murphy could win a job with the Red Sox, perhaps thanks in part to the fact that Rusney Castillo has struggled somewhat in Spring Training (batting .267/.333/.300) and can be optioned to the minors. If the Red Sox were to send Castillo to Triple-A Pawtucket, that could set up an outfield that includes the left-handed Murphy and the right-handed Chris Young as complementary pieces.

This is Murphy’s second stint with the Red Sox, who made him a first-round pick in 2003. Since then, the 34-year-old has also played for the Rangers, Indians and Angels, and he’s put together a solid track record that includes a .795 career OPS against righties over a career spanning ten MLB seasons. Last season, he batted .283/.318/.421 in 391 plate appearances.