Castillo removed from lineup with neck spasms

BOSTON - Orioles catcher Welington Castillo was scratched from the lineup tonight due to a reoccurrence of the neck spasms that surfaced in spring training.

Caleb Joseph is behind the plate for Dylan Bundy's third start against the Red Sox.

Manager Buck Showalter said Castillo's neck has been bothering him "off and on" and the Orioles decided to sit him.

"Obviously, the last three games have been pretty challenging," Showalter said. "A lot of pitches, a lot of ... So, a good weapon to have on the bench. And Caleb has done well in this park.

"Didn't really hear about it until about 5 o'clock. They thought he was going to be OK, but after talking to Richie (Bancells) and him, we thought it was best to just back off."

Castillo is batting .314/.333/.443 in 17 games.

Castillo was scratched from a Feb. 25 exhibition game with a similar condition that Showalter blamed on the catcher "sleeping wrong."

The Orioles don't have another catcher on the 40-man roster besides Castillo and Joseph. Francisco Peña would be a leading candidate to have his contract selected if Castillo goes on the disabled list. Top prospect Chance Sisco isn't considered ready for the majors.

Showalter said he doesn't expect Castillo to end up on the disabled list, "but we'll see how it manages." The neck flared up again after starts Friday and Sunday in the Bronx. Joseph caught the Saturday afternoon game.

"When it gets to the point that he and we feel like we should back off a day, especially, what did he catch, twice in New York with a day off between after an off-day?" Showalter said. "So, it's something that we're going to need to monitor. I hope not."

The Orioles scratched first baseman Chris Davis from Sunday's lineup with a sore right elbow, but he's starting tonight.

"That's like two days in a row," Showalter said. "We don't hardly ever do that. Sorry. I apologize. I know ESPN is unhappy. They've got to do all their graphics over. My fault. We didn't do it on purpose."