FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Relievers Scott Atchison, Rich Hill, Randy Williams, Brandon Duckworth and Michael Bowden were all cut from the major league camp Friday afternoon. Atchison and Bowden were both optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, while Hill, Williams and Duckworth (who signed minor-league deals) were reassigned to minor league camp. Outfielder Ryan Kalish was also optioned to Triple-A.
"It's never easy," Atchison said. "I felt like I showed them what I can do. ... The situation is what it is."
Atchison pitched in seven games, totaling 8 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on 11 hits, striking out four and walking four. Bowden appeared in seven games, pitching 9 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three.
Hill, who was optimistic after altering his arm angle again in the past few days, didn't allow an earned run in 8 2/3 innings (7 games) in Grapefruit League action. Williams, who like Hill is a lefty, gave up three earned runs in 9 2/3 innings, striking out 10 and walking four. Duckworth had a 4.50 ERA, nine strikeouts and six walks in 10 innings.
Infielders Drew Sutton and Nate Spears will both travel with the Sox to Wednesday's exhibition game in Houston, but both have been told they will open the year in the minors. Left-hander Andrew Miller was also reassigned to minor league camp, where he will work as a starter in order to get the most possible repetitions on the mound.
The Sox now have five pitchers left in camp with two openings in their bullpen. Alfredo Aceves, Matt Albers, Hideki Okajima, Dennys Reyes and Felix Doubront are the pitchers who have not yet been told their Opening Day fate, though Doubront will either start in the minors or remain in Fort Myers while rehabbing.
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