Will Middlebrooks slated to return Friday night. (Photo by Kelly O’Connor via SittingStill.smugmug.com)
It has been nearly a month, but the Boston Red Sox will finally have their full lineup Friday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
Will Middlebrooks, who got hurt four games into the season with a calf strain, will be activated from the 15-day DL before Friday’s contest against the Blue Jays. The rehab stint went longer after he had the flu for a few days before being sent to Triple-A for several games.
Brock Holt was optioned back to Pawtucket after the 14-5 loss to the New York Yankees to make room on the roster.
Middlebrooks struggled in his three rehab appearances going 0-for-10 with five strikeouts, but was robbed in his final game twice by a strong wing blowing in right that knocked down two balls right at the right field fence that could have been out on a calmer night at McCoy Stadium.
Holt made his case to stay up with the big club with a solid .348 average, including a triple and four RBI to help spark the bottom of the lineup. He had a hit in six of seven contests and had a .429 OBP with a stolen base. If Jonathan Herrera continues to struggle, Holt could be the utility man sooner rather than later.
On Thursday prior to first pitch, Shane Victorino was also reinstated from the 15-day DL. In order to make room for him, Alex Wilson was optioned back to Triple-A Wednesday after Daniel Nava was sent down to the minors prior to Wednesday’s win over the Yankees.
In his first game back, Victorino played well defensively and went 1-for-5 with a double and two strikeouts. Nava was struggling with a .149/.240/.269/.509 line. He had slugged a couple home runs, but his only two-hit game came Tuesday night which was too little, too late.
Wilson was not used in Wednesday’s game