Middlebrooks still facing demotion?: Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine went on WEEI radio before Wednesday's game against the Orioles to talk about his current lineup alignment that features Adrian Gonzalez in right field, Kevin Youkilis at first base and Will Middlebrooks at third base. Valentine acknowledged that Gonzalez playing right field isn't "an everyday solution." Valentine agreed with general manager Ben Cherington's assessment that Youkilis will return to being the team's third baseman, and that Middlebrooks will spend some time on the bench and might be demoted back to the minors. "I totally am on board with Ben's take, and Kevin's going to play third base," Valentine said. "I think we just have a situation where we have to play this by ear. This isn't something that was planned out over the winter or even was planned out last week or two weeks ago when Will first came up and Kevin first went on the disabled list. This is a work in progress. We'll adjust to it as the situation presents itself." (Updated 05/23/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
The original plan was to demote Middlebrooks back to the minors once Youkilis came off the DL, but the rookie third baseman has heated up offensively again, extending his stay in the majors. Middlebrooks entered play Tuesday with a .368 average (7 for 19) with one homer and two RBI in his last five games. For now, Middlebrooks is still playing regularly and not on a bus back to the minors. Fantasy owners can keep him active in deeper formats for the time being. (Updated 05/23/2012).
05/23/2012 14:54 Setting the Trends: Injuries creating unlikely scenarios
Dayan Viciedo, Sean Rodriguez and Felipe Paulino are drawing the attention of Fantasy owners these days. Our Nando Di Fino breaks down the players you are scooping up in his Setting the Trends.
05/23/2012 06:45 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Ups and downs of young players
Last year your team was a juggernaut. This year it's sitting in the cellar. What happened? You might even have most of those players back. If you're relying on young talent, our Scott White says prepare to take some lumps in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
05/22/2012 11:47 Red Sox recall Scott Podsednik
How does Scott Podsednik find his way back to the majors for the first time since September 9, 2010? Being in an organization with six -- soon to be seven -- outfielders on the disabled list helps. That's the situation in which the Red Sox find themselves, and it has cleared the way for a Podsednik promotion, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported.
By some measurements, Will Middlebrooks had a breakout 2011 season, nearly doubling his 2010 home-run total as he moved two levels up the minor-league ladder. But by some measurements, he still has a ways to go. His lack of plate discipline -- he had a 95-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio at Double-A Portland -- is especially troubling. Still, he's a potential middle-of-the-order hitter who seems to be making progress in every other aspect of the game. He's so well-regarded as a prospect that his presence in the minors has caused some to wonder if the Red Sox might entertain the idea of trading Kevin Youkilis in the near future, but considering Middlebrooks struggled in a late-season trial at Triple-A Pawtucket, hitting .161 in 56 at-bats, he's not ready to take over yet. More likely, he'll get his feet wet at some point in 2012 and contend for part-time at-bats in 2013 before taking over full-time in 2014. That timeline makes the power hitter well worth stashing in long-term keeper leagues but not such an attractive AL-only option in 2012. (Updated 2/9/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
