The Boston Red Sox are expected to start Shane Victorino in right field when the season kicks off next week.

The decision, which John Farrell all but confirmed, would put Rusney Castillo in limbo.

"The biggest thing to me was health," Farrell said. "Getting back to close to 100 percent of what Shane Victorino is. He's an impact player and myself included we haven't forgotten what he's done for us.

"But at the same time we're looking at what he brings to our team and that's a guy who is a very smart, intelligent baseball player who plays [all out] and he's going to help give a personality to our team."

Victorino is coming off back surgery. Castillo could begin the season in Triple-A.