BOSTONThird baseman Kevin Youkilis has been on the disabled list with a low back strain retroactive to April 29 and is eligible to come off Monday. But he has not begun baseball activities yet, and is not sure of a timetable.
No, they havent given me that. Im just basically following their orders, Youkilis said. The past couple of days it felt great, been moving around and doing what they tell me to do and hopefully soon I can do baseball activities. Pretty excited to get back and playing.
He has been working on cardio exercises and core-strengthening activities.
I just want to come back, he said. I feel good but they want to make sure I can be healthy all year. So its tough. Its tough to watch and not be a part of. For me personally, I just hate watching baseball and love to play it. Hopefully these guys can turn around tonight and get a win and try to win the series.
Youkilis has been impressed with the play of Will Middlebrooks, who has taken his place at third.Middlebrooks is batting .346 with three home runs and nine RBI in six games. He hit home runs down the left and right field lines on Monday in Kansas City.
Its awesome, Youkilis said. I was watching the game and I was just joking, I was like they should put a foul pole in center field so he can hit it off that too. But it was pretty amazing to watch and its great. Its great for him to come up here on this stage and perform at a high level.