BOSTON -- With the return of third baseman Will Middlebrooks to the Red Sox lineup on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, Adrian Gonzalez moves back to right field and Kevin Youkilis moves over the first base.
Gonzalez has played right field on the road since Kevin Youkilis' return, but now he'll play in a spacious right field at Fenway. And before the game, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine continued to express no concern over Gonzalez in right field at Fenway.
"I think Adrian's as capable as anyone," said Valentine. "But, for sure, there could be some balls that go over into Pesky's corner there, and go out into the triangle that can elude him."
Valentine even said that he believes first base is a more dangerous position.
"I don't think there's injury risk, talking to him," he said. "I think it's more dangerous at first base, as far as injuries. I see more people get hurt playing first base than right field. As far as the competitive alliance or balance or what defense that he's going to provide, I think it's close to neutral."
As for trying to keep all their big bats in the lineup every night, Valentine described it as "ongoing."
"I don't think it's a perfect situation," said Valentine.