BALTIMORE -- With Kevin Youkilis activated, the Red Sox now have an untenable three-into-two situation at first base and third base with Youkilis, Will Middlebrooks and Adrian Gonzalez. The general feeling was that the Sox would send Middlebrooks back to Pawtucket and play Youkilis at third base while attempting to create a trade market for him.
Then Gonzalez acquitted himself well in right field in Philadelphia over the weekend and light bulbs went off everywhere: Middlebrooks stays at third, Youkilis plays first and Gonzalez moves to right. In fact, that's the exactly what the Sox are doing Tuesday night against the Orioles.
But manager Bobby Valentine says not to expect to see that lineup every night.
"Even with a small outfield, we have to constantly apprise the situation (as to how much they'll play Gonzalez in the outfield)," said Valentine. "I would say less is better than more.
"I don't think he'll mess up anything, but there could be just a few he wouldn't get to. If it's obvious balls should be caught and they're not caught we'll have a different appraisal."