Will Middlebrooks is not in Boston's lineup Thursday. It's just a routine day of rest for the young third baseman, who has struggled to the tune of a .182 batting line and .657 OPS through 14 games this season. Pedro Ciriaco will start at the hot corner against the Indians.

Will Middlebrooks registered the first three-homer day of his career in Sunday's blowout win over the Blue Jays. He also added a double for good measure, driving in four runs and scoring four runs on the day. After going hitless in the first two games of the season, Middlebrooks has now picked up eight base knocks -- including four longballs -- over his last 17 at-bats. He has a shot to be a top-10 fantasy third baseman this season.

Will Middlebrooks went 3-for-4 and knocked in a pair of runs versus the Orioles on Monday. None of the hits went for extra bases, though. Middlebrooks had collected extra-base hits in five straight games and eight of the last nine. He's batting .362/.400/.617 this spring.

Will Middlebrooks (wrist) returned to the Red Sox lineup Saturday against the Twins. Middlebrooks avoided serious injury and merely rustled scar tissue loose during Wednesday night's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. He was cleared by a hand specialist earlier this week and had already been cleared for batting practice. The talented young third baseman shouldn't have any trouble getting ready for the start of the season.

Will Middlebrooks (wrist) is not in the Red Sox' lineup Friday but plans to take batting practice. Middlebrooks said he's fine and didn't require any treatment for the wrist Friday. The third baseman rustled some scar tissue loose during Wednesday's game but should return to action soon.

Will Middlebrooks (wrist) has been cleared for all baseball activities and could play in a game Friday. Middlebrooks merely rustled some scar tissue loose during Wednesday night's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. He has been cleared of any new structural damage and told reporters Thursday morning that he had no lingering pain in his surgically-repaired right wrist. The talented young third baseman should be fine for the start of the 2013 regular season.

Will Middlebrooks was examined by doctors on Thursday and was found to have no new structural damage in his wrist. Middlebrooks appeared to aggravate his surgically-repaired right wrist in Wednesday night's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. But he only jarred loose some scar tissue and should be back to regular workouts within the next couple of days. He'll be fitted with a padded batting glove and remains a fine fantasy third baseman.

Will Middlebrooks said his right wrist injury was "just a scare" and nothing is broken or torn. And the Red Sox breathe a sigh of relief. "It's not as serious as we thought it was. It was just a scare," Middlebrooks said. He'll have his wrist re-evaluated Thursday, but the club suspects he just felt scar tissue when he left Wednesday's game. Middlebrooks, who didn't ice the wrist or have it wrapped, is hoping he'll even be able to take batting practice as soon as Thursday.

Will Middlebrooks has been diagnosed with right wrist soreness and will be re-evaluated Thursday. Middlebrooks suffered the injury on a check swing Wednesday before throwing his helmet to the ground, grabbing his right wrist and heading into the clubhouse. It's the same wrist that he fractured last year, prematurely ending his season. Obviously more will be known once he's re-evaluated, but this certainly has the potential to keep him sidelined for a while.

Will Middlebrooks exited Wednesday's game in the first inning after injuring his right hand on a checked swing. The Red Sox have yet to update his status, but it's possible Middlebrooks re-injured his right wrist, which he fractured last season. It would obviously be a big blow if he's lost for a significant period of time, as Boston has little depth at the hot corner.