Projo Sox Blog

The Red Sox optioned backup catcher Dusty Brown and pitcher Devern Hansack back to Triple A today, making George Kottaras' claim to the backup catcher job official.

Brown came into camp as one of five candidates for the job, with Josh Bard seen as the favorite. But midway through March, Bard was cut, and Kottaras named the backup. This morning, before he was cut, Brown said he still improved his position with the club this spring.

"I think we're both in a pretty good position coming out of camp. When I go to Triple A, if I go to Triple A, I'm going to be in a better spot than I was last year. So I think it's kind of worked out for everybody," Brown said.

Brown is known as an excellent defensive catcher, intelligent and gritty and good at handling a pitching staff. His bat, however, leaves something to be desired. Brown had hit well this spring, with a .333 average in 21 at bats, one home run and six RBI.

"It's just you go out and you try to have good at-bats every time out. I've been doing well at the plate," he said.

Brown spent the spring learning the Red Sox' new pitchers, particularly Brad Penny, so that he is ready to catch them if he is ever made an emergency callup to Boston.

"I don't want to ever be in a situation where I'm catching a guy in a game and not sure what I'm going to get, or how it's going to go, so I've been working with the new pitchers," Brown said.

Manager Terry Francona said the team has full confidence in Brown if they need him on a moment's notice.

"Very comfortable, very comfortable. The whole staff feels comfortable with how he runs a game," Francona said.

Hansack allowed five runs in 9.2 innings this spring, striking out nine.

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