Kevin Youkilis didn’t care that he went hitless Monday night in a rehab game with Pawtucket against Buffalo.
He was more concerned about his health.
“For me it’s about staying healthy and at the end of the day if you feel good, that’s the key, ” Youkilis said after Buffalo defeated Pawtucket, 9-2.
“I don’t think it’s about going 3-for-3 and hitting home runs.
“I think it’s about being healthy.”
Youkilis was placed on Boston’s 15-day disabled list May 12 (retroactive to May 5) with a strained oblique muscle.
He batted leadoff and played first base and was 0-for-2 with a walk against former Astros right-hander Fernando Nieve.
Youkils ground out to third base in the first inning.
He chased a high pitch and struck out in the third on a 1-2 count and walked on four pitches in the fifth.
“I’ve had injuries that I’ve played through whereas this one I haven’t been able to play through,” Youkilis said. “I felt good but I was a little rusty. It was good to get some at-bats and see the ball. It was good to face a guy who had some velocity on the ball.
“Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll get some more at-bats and each day I’ll get more comfortable playing. If everything goes well tomorrow, I’ll be ready to play on Wednesday (when Boston hosts Toronto) and get back in the lineup.”
Youkilis was tested defensively in the third when he stretched to glove a throw from second baseman Travis Denker.
“That tweaked me a little … my whole, entire body,” Youkilis said. “(Manager) Ron (Johnson) asked me if I was okay. It was a funky throw to reach out real quick on.
“It went away after that.”
Youkilis, admittedly, didn’t relish being sidelined while the Red Sox were playing.
“We were doing well but on the west coast trip we didn’t fare as well,” he said. ” Winning one in Seattle was better than we usually do. The past couple of years we can’t win a game there but luckily we won one.
“It’s tough watching games when you lose because it’s frustrating. You want to help and do something instead of just cheering your guys on. That’s not going to get a win. It’s not fun just sitting there and watching game.”