Red Sox top prospect Xander Bogaerts has returned following his appearance with the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, reports MLB.com on Tuesday. Boston manager John Farrell confirmed that Bogaerts will remain in big-league camp before getting sent down to the minors.
"He'll get some reps at short, and possibly third base," said Farrell. "Make no mistake, he's still in our eyes a shortstop and we'll get him a few more at-bats here before he begins his regular season."
Farrell believes the WBC experience will help Bogaerts this season.
"I think the experience he had with the WBC ... is all positive," Farrell said. "Would we have liked more at-bats? Sure. I think the fact that he played in that environment and on that stage outweighs maybe a few less at-bats he might have otherwise had here. All that being said, we're happy for the experience he went through."