NEW YORK � �Barring something unforeseen,� Rusney Castillo will play for the Red Sox at the major-league level this month, general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday. Boston will first try to take advantage of as many minor-league games as it can

NEW YORK � �Barring something unforeseen,� Rusney Castillo will play for the Red Sox at the major-league level this month, general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday. Boston will first try to take advantage of as many minor-league games as it can to prepare Castillo for the bigs.

Castillo played his first game at the Double-A level Wednesday night, going 1-for-3 and playing five innings in center field for Portland in its 8-5 loss to Binghamton. Castillo lined out, flied out and reached on an infield single, eventually stealing third base and scoring.

He did not record a putout in the field.

Cherington said the center fielder will likely stick with the Sea Dogs for the entirety of their five-game first-round series against Binghamton in the Eastern League playoffs.

�What we want to do is try to maximize the number of at-bats he gets and sort of balance that with the transition back to playing, so maybe there will even be off-days mixed in,� Cherington said. �It�s been a while since he�s� had a lot of game activity. He needs at-bats.�

Castillo played in his first two professional games for the Red Sox earlier this week in the Gulf Coast League. He�s slated to play five innings in center field and lead off for Portland on Wednesday. The Red Sox will consider having Castillo play some kind of winter ball, though visa issues may make it difficult for him to play in the Dominican Republic. The Arizona Fall League is always an option, as well.

�He�s working hard, attitude has been great, soaking stuff in,� said Cherington. �We�re more interested in watching him integrate into the daily routine and get comfortable with things we�re asking him, and he�s done that very quickly.�

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