Kevin Youkilis to DL; Red Sox Call Up Will Middlebrooks

Kevin Youkilis was officially placed on the Boston Red Sox disabled list yesterday.  After missing the Red Sox last three contests due to back soreness, Boston decided to send Youkilis to the DL.  Boston called up top prospect Will Middlebrooks who will be the Red Sox starting third baseman while Youkilis is on the shelf.

Youkilis got off to a slow start this season which led his new manager, Bobby Valentine, to call out the veteran.  Valentine questioned Youkilis physically and emotionally and the incident caused quite a stir nationally.

Youkilis has picked it up a bit at the plate since the statements were made, but he’s still only hit .219/.292/.344 over his 18 games and 64 at-bats.

In Youkilis’s place, Middlebrooks made his major league debut last night.  Batting eighth and manning the hot corner, the 23-year-old Middlebrooks finished the night 2-3 with a walk and double.

Before he got the call, Middlebrooks was destroying Triple-A pitching.  Over his 24 games and 93 at-bats, Middlebrooks hit at a clip of .333/.380/.677 with 13 extra base hits, 27 RBIs, 18 runs scored and three stolen bases.

Youkilis finds himself in the final guaranteed year of his current contract.  The Red Sox hold a $13 million team option for 2013 that includes a $1 million buyout.

Youkilis is only 33 and has a career OPS of .878, so hopefully he can return to form once he rejoins the Red Sox.  However, Middlebrooks looks like the heir apparent at third, and if he gets off to a quick start it will be interesting to see how the Red Sox handle things when Youkilis is healthy.

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