Report: Will Middlebrooks Heading To Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - The Will Middlebrooks era in Boston may soon begin.
According to Comcast SportsNet New England, the Red Sox' third base prospect is on his way to Boston from Toledo, where the Triple-A PawSox are playing.
It is unclear if Middlebrooks will be activated though, as the Red Sox are still trying to figure out what to do with the ailing Kevin Youkilis. The 33-year-old Youkilis has missed the last three games with a bad back, which doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Add in Youkilis' .219 batting average to the equation, and you can see why there is such fanfare surrounding Middlebrooks, who is dominating Triple-A pitching.
The 23-year-old prospect is hitting .333 with nine home runs, 27 RBI to go with a .380 on-base percentage in 24 games for Pawtucket. He returned to the PawSox lineup Tuesday night after a jammed thumb kept him out of Monday's game, which also could have cost him a call-up on Tuesday.
The Red Sox called up shortstop Jose Iglesias on Tuesday as an emergency infielder for their game against the Athletics. Veteran Nick Punto has filled in for Youkilis at third base the past two games.
A 2007 fifth-round draft pick by Boston, Middlebrooks is the Red Sox' top ranked prospect according to MLB.com.
