BOSTONThird baseman Will Middlebrooks is not in the starting lineup for the first-half finale against the Yankees at Fenway Park Sunday night. Middlebrooks has missed the last six games with a sore left hamstring. With the possibility of letting him rest for an additional five days before the second half of the season opens Friday, with three games in Tampa Bay, manager Bobby Valentine is leaning toward holding Middlebrooks out of Sundays game.
He looked really good today out there running. He says he feels really good, Valentine said. Because its just one game and it could be five more days of safeness Im leaning towards not having him play.
Middlebrooks is batting .298 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI in 48 games since being called up May 2.