The Red Sox optioned Travis to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Travis stated his case in spring training with a .270 batting average and .948 OPS with six home runs, but the presence of Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland at first base meant he faced long odds to nab an Opening Day roster spot. The 24-year-old is expected to see time in left field for Pawtucket as well, which increases his odds of earning a bench role with the Red Sox this season.

Travis hit his fifth spring homer and drove in three runs in Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports. "He's been hitting the ball all over the field," manager Alex Cora said. "Two homers in Jupiter. Then here he hits two home runs to the pull side. He really understands what he's doing at the plate."

EDGE Analysis

It's encouraging to see Travis make such a positive impression on his new manager, but nothing changes for the 24-year-old, who played a starring role in spring training last year, too. Although the Red Sox have exposed him to left field, he's mainly a first baseman and there's no room on the roster with Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland blocking him. He could emerge as the first baseman of the future, however, has not hit like a traditional corner infielder and his defense is considered average.

Travis started in left field Friday and went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Travis is blocked at first base by Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez, so Boston would like to expose him to the outfield in an effort to get his bat in the lineup. The 24-year-old is hitting .270 with three homers and nine RBI. His bat has more offensive upside than others being considered as a depth outfielder, like Brock Holt or Tzu-Wei Lin. The problem is that Travis isn't a great defender at first base, so having play the outfield is a stretch.

Travis (hip) will start at first and bat third for the Red Sox in their exhibition contest against Boston College on Thursday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Travis was forced to leave winter ball due to a minor hip injury but appears to be at full health as spring games get underway. The 24-year-old will get a chance to crack the Opening Day roster after competing in 33 contests with Boston last season, slashing .263/.325/.342 with six extra-base hits and one RBI.

Travis has returned from winter ball due to a minor hip injury, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

There doesn't appear to be any concern over Travis's hip, but the Red Sox are stressing precaution over their first baseman, and will let him rest up before spring training begins in a few months. During the course of the 2017 season, he played in 33 games for Boston, slashing .263/.325/.342 with one RBI and 13 runs scored.

Travis will start back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday, Tim Britton of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Travis has just one at-bat since his last start Sept. 12, so manager John Farrell will include him in the lineup a couple days in a row in an effort to keep him sharp. Travis will serve as the designated hitter Tuesday night and hit seventh against Orioles starter Kevin Gausman.

Travis is in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Rays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Travis, who was called up to Boston as part of the September roster expansion, has played sparingly.

Travis hit .234 with runners in scoring position and knocked in just 24 runs over 82 games at Triple-A Pawtucket, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "There were a number of times I came up with runners in scoring position and I didn't come through or hit into a double play," he said Saturday. "That's not me. That's not who I am. I'm a guy that drives in runs."

EDGE Analysis

Travis understands he needs to be better in those situations. While he's not a big home run hitter, Travis has shown the ability to drive in runs when presented the opportunity to do so in the minors. The Red Sox still have confidence in the 24-year-old, but also plan to introduce fellow prospect Michael Chavis to first base during the Arizona Fall League. It was common thought that Travis would eventually become Boston's everyday first baseman, perhaps as soon as 2018, but he'll be pushed for that job if Chavis can deftly handle first base.

Travis was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

This move was inevitable, given Travis' place on the 40-man roster. He is hitting .270/.351/.375 with six home runs and six steals in 82 games at Triple-A, and he has a career .279/.380/.395 slash line in 50 MLB plate appearances. Look for him to get some starts at first base against lefties down the stretch.

Travis will be recalled by the Red Sox on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox will be bringing several minor leaguers up Friday with rosters expanding, and that list includes Travis. The 24-year-old Travis fared well in his 18-game stint with the Red Sox earlier this season, slashing .279/.380/.400 in that stretch. He'll add corner infield depth down the stretch while he's in Boston.