Will Middlebrooks remained out of the lineup for the second straight day, slowed by a strained left hamstring. To date, the Sox have resisted placing him on the DL, hoping that they can get through this series and have him ready for the weekend series at home.
"There's no telling," said Valentine. "He's coming along. He's a little better today than he was yesterday and that's progress. He's not out on the field yet, so really don't know what it feels like with spikes in the ground.
"We have the DL sitting there. We could backdate it anytime we want if we feel there's not enough progress being made for him to play during that DL time. He was able to touch his toes (Monday) without any spasm or grabbing and that's one of those hamstring tell-take signs. We'll see how he is tonight."