BOSTONBrent Lillibridge, acquired in the trade with the White Sox for Kevin Youkilis on Sunday, is making his first start with the Red Sox Tuesday night, playing center field, batting ninth.
See how he fits in as part of the team, manager Bobby Valentine said. This team needs to see him play and hes actually had some success against this guy (3-for-4 with an RBI with an RBI vs Blue Jays left-hander Aaron Laffey) in the past. So maybe well find a little something.
Lillibridge, who went into Mondays game in the ninth inning replacing Cody Ross in right field, appeared in just three games, five starts, in center field for the White Sox.
Yeah, get it out of the way, Lillibridge said of his first start. Better now than later because I just want to get out there and get a chance to play. I want to be out there and show guys what I can do. I know what I can do. And obviously Im here because they know what I can do, and hopefully help us win a game tonight.
Lillibridge has appeared in eight games, with two starts, in Fenway Park.
Its tough work out here to be an outfielder, he said of playing at Fenway. Ive played right field here and Ive been playing a little bit of center and left with the White Sox and its different. I hope I can understand it better as Im here all the time and work on it during batting practice, especially taking balls off the wall and stuff just to get a feel for it. But its kind of first reaction, first instinct and kind of go from there, and hopefully dont run too hard into that big heavy wall. I dont see too much padding out there.
The versatile Lillibridge can also play the infield. With the presence of Nick Punto, Valentine was asked if Lillibridge would be called upon more to play outfield than infield.
Boston Red Sox
I have no idea, Valentine said. If he could play both, itd be really a plus. Ive been told that he can and he says that hes most comfortable in center field. Weve seen where hes played in the past, well figure it out.