FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The fact that the Red Sox included top prospect Michael Chavis in their first round of cuts on Tuesday was in no way indicative of the type of camp the right-handed hitter is having.

In fact, Chavis was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket while leading the Red Sox in homers (four) and RBIs (10).

The way Boston's roster is constructed, there isn't a lineup spot open for Chavis, so the best thing he can do is complete his development with the Minor League club.

If the Red Sox should suffer an injury at either corner infield spot or at designated hitter, Chavis likely would be called up.

It was beneficial for Chavis to make such a strong showing because he had an oblique injury last spring and manager Alex Cora never got to see him play.

"He can hit. I think everybody knew that except for me," Cora said. "I didn't see him last year. He was hurt, so you see the numbers and videos, whatever, but you see a game and yeah, he can swing the bat."

As for the glove, Chavis -- who is ranked as Boston's No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline -- will continue to play third and first, and even mix in some time at second.

"He didn't play too much second, but the last time he played in West Palm Beach he made two routine plays and he looked very relaxed and turned a double play," Cora said. "That's something he'll do wherever he goes. We'll move him around and make sure he gets his reps at second base, too."

What is the key for Chavis in completing his development?

"Just keep improving," said Cora. "Use that right-side gap. He can do that. That's something we talk about and keep him going defensively. That's something we'll make sure we take care of. He knows it. It's not easy when you're moving around, but we'll find ways and have some structure for him so he can get better."

Left-hander Josh Taylor and righties Travis Lakins and Chandler Shepherd were also optioned to Pawtucket. Righty Denyi Reyes was optioned to Double-A Portland. Six players were reassigned to Minor League camp, including catcher Austin Rei, outfielder Rusney Castillo, infielder Tony Renda, first baseman Josh Ockimey, and right-handed pitchers Mike Shawaryn and Carson Smith.

With these moves, the Red Sox now have 47 players in big league camp, including 33 players from the 40-man roster and 14 non-roster invitees.

Barnes can't find curve

After a tough first Grapefruit League outing when he gave up four hits and three runs in one inning against the Mets, righty Matt Barnes labored again on Tuesday against the Tigers. But this time, he was able to escape a bases-loaded, two-out jam by striking out Victor Reyes. Barnes didn't allow any runs.

The issue against Detroit was easy to spot.

"The curveball command was bad today," Barnes said. "I couldn't throw it for a strike. I thought it was an improvement on last outing. I thought the fastball played better today than it had. Command overall with the fastball didn't miss by much."

There is more attention on Barnes this spring because he is one of the leading candidates if Cora decides to go with a set closer in the Red Sox's bullpen.

Learning experience for Hernandez

Lefty Darwinzon Hernandez, Boston's No. 4 prospect, was scored on for the first time in five outings this spring on Tuesday. He gave up one run on one hit and one walk.

More important than that was the learning experience when Hernandez gave up an RBI double to Kody Eaves.

"There was a stretch there and that's just him being young, man at first, two outs, two strikes," said Cora. "They've got a lefty. We throw over and he slide-steps. Forget the result. It's a situation there. You're one of the best lefties. You've got a lefty there. Forget the runner. If he takes off, he takes off.

"Those are the things he's going to learn. Obviously, he's still young and he hasn't seen everything and he's developing. We know the stuff. It's just a matter of keep teaching him and keep getting him where we want to."

Narrating the at-bat of his life

In a situation that could only be described as perfect timing, Cora was asked in the postgame press conference if he was worried about Boston's quiet offense of late, just as MLB Network was showing a most memorable at-bat from his own playing career.

Cora could see the television in front of him showing his 18-pitch at-bat against Matt Clement from May 12, 2004, which ended with a two-run homer at Dodger Stadium.

"That's a good at-bat by the way. Good timing by the way. Right there. Grind at-bats, foul pitches off and hit homers," said Cora.

Cora then narrated the last few pitches of the at-bat for the small group of reporters in the room.

"Keep going and foul that one off," said Cora. "And then it's a fastball up and away and then you foul it off. And then he throws you a slider here and you foul it by the bag and Vin Scully gets excited. And then he hangs a slider and he puts you on time and you hit it and you flip the bat. There you go."

Cora essentially dropped the mic at that point and sprinted out of his press conference with a smile on his face.

Red Sox honor Mac

In a classy move, the Red Sox held a pregame ceremony for longtime scout Joe McDonald, who is 90 years old and will be retiring at the end of the season. McDonald has worked in baseball for 70 years, starting as a ticket-taker at a Brooklyn Dodgers game in which Jackie Robinson was playing.

McDonald threw a ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce. In his illustrious career, McDonald has earned six World Series rings (1969 Mets, '82 Cardinals, '04 Red Sox, '07 Red Sox, '13 Red Sox, '18 Red Sox). He also worked for the Tigers, Angels and Rockies.

Up next

Flame-throwing righty Nathan Eovaldi makes his first Grapefruit League start on Wednesday, when the Red Sox host the Twins. Eovaldi was a postseason hero for the Red Sox after his acquisition from the Rays last July, and Boston re-signed him this winter to a four-year, $68 million deal. Righty Tyler Thornburg will also see action in his latest attempt to have a clean outing. Righty Colten Brewer, in the mix for a bullpen spot, will get an inning. Lefty Brian Johnson will also get some work. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.