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Winter ball was big step for Vazquez
By Peter Abraham
Globe Staff

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez played for three teams during his stint in the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico this winter. He had to stay flexible after his original team shut down.

In the end, counting the postseason, Vazquez played in 33 games and had 133 plate appearances. He hit .254 with seven extra-base hits and 12 RBIs.

For Vazquez, the games were important ones after missing all of the 2015 season recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. All of his plate appearances came as a designated hitter, most with Santurce.

Vazquez played his final game in Puerto Rico Sunday and flew to Florida Monday. He will continue his workouts at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers.

Vazquez has been throwing for several months, following the standard post-surgery protocol to build up arm strength. Once spring training starts next month, he will throw to bases and further test his arm.

Vazquez had surgery on April 2, 2015, so it is possible he could be ready for Opening Day. But the Sox also have the depth to afford being cautious with the 25-year-old. Blake Swihart and Ryan Hanigan are on the 40-man roster, and Sandy Leon is signed to a minor league contract.

Vazquez started 50 games for the Sox in 2014 and was a game-changer defensively, throwing out 15 of 29 runners and showing uncommon pitch-framing skills behind the plate. Until the injury, he was lined up to be the 2015 starter.

Red Sox left fielder Rusney Castillo joined Caguas of the Clemente League for the round-robin playoffs. Through four games, he is 1 for 16 with seven strikeouts. The one hit was a two-run triple.

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Red Sox pitchers Joe Kelly, Robbie Ross Jr., and Junichi Tazawa filed for salary arbitration. If no agreement can be reached, the sides would exchange figures on Friday. Hearings start Feb. 1 in Phoenix.

Kelly is projected to make $3.1 million in the coming season, Ross $1.1 million and Tazawa $3.3 million. All three of the players are considered signed at this point. The arbitration process simply determines a salary.

Tazawa is in his final year of arbitration and can become a free agent after the coming season.