FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With time winding down in spring training, the Red Sox took a big step toward getting down to their 25-man Opening Day roster Monday morning.
The Sox released reliever Carlos Marmol, optioned shortstop Deven Marrero and reassigned six players to minor league camp: Josh Rutledge, first baseman Allen Craig, Brennan Boesch, catchers Dan Butler and Sandy Leon and reliever Anthony Varvaro.
Also, four players were told that they would begin the season on the DL: pitchers Carson Smith, Brandon Workman, Eduardo Rodriguez and catcher Christian Vazquez.
Vazquez has played much of the spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March, but is still building arm strength.
"We've got a player who is making progress,'' said John Farrell. "He's not ready to start the season with us, so it's likely that we'll have him in a transaction here that's going to keep some flexibility. He's going to need to go out and continue to play.''
The Sox could conceivably keep Vazquez in extended spring training, but a more likely course of action would have to start a rehab assignment with Pawtucket.
"Everything points to having him start catching games with more regularity at the outset of the Pawtucket season,'' said Farrell. "He'll remain down here in Florida for the short-term and then likely join them once the season begins.
The moves leave the Sox with 27 players in camp.
The Sox must still choose between three relievers for two spots in the bullpen: lefty Roenis Elias and righthanders Noe Ramirez and Matt Barnes.
"Everything points to one remaining move with the pitching staff,'' said Farrell, "and we'll take the next 24-to-48 hours to work through that and finalize what our pitching staff is going to be heading out of camp.''
Finally, the Sox must take action Tuesday on outfielder David Murphy, who exercised his opt-out Sunday. The Sox can either place him on the 25-man roster and retain his rights (unlikely), or allow him to be a free agent.
"Nothing to report or update as of yet,'' said Farrell. "But he's still in camp. He'll be active and in (Monday's) game. There's a little bit of a time period where he's still our property.''
The one personnel decision regarding the players on the roster will be determining the Opening Day third baseman.
Pablo Sandoval has missed the last five days with lower back stiffness, but will play in a minor league game Monday, and is expected to play for the Red Sox Tuesday "provided he comes out of (Monday) as anticipated,'' Farrell said.
A decision between Sandoval and Shaw is coming later this week.
"I think out of fairness to all involved, I think we'd like that to be communicated to all before we break camp,'' said Farrell.
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