Updating an earlier item, Will Middlebrooks left Tuesday's game with left hamstring tightness. It's what had been speculated, as he dealt with the same ailment last week. We would assume Middlebrooks will have to sit out at least a day or two, but we should know more after he's re-evaluated on Wednesday.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington expressed hesitation during a radio interview Tuesday about the possibility of giving Will Middlebrooks time in the outfield. "We like him at third and we need to be careful about moving guys around to fill a short-term interest," Cherington said. It's understandable that the Sox are considering the move, as Middlebrooks is raking and wouldn't have a spot once Kevin Youkilis (back) is ready. But, the reality is that he's never played outfield in his pro career, and learning at the major league level would be a lot to ask. The more likely scenario might be Middlebrooks seeing time in the outfield at Triple-A after he's optioned, then possibly being brought back up if he proves capable of handling the position.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told reporters Tuesday that the idea of using Will Middlebrooks in the outfield has been discussed internally. Middlebrooks hasn't played anywhere but third base in his professional baseball career, but he's raking to the tune of a 1.361 OPS and the Red Sox are going to want to keep him in their starting lineup even when Kevin Youkilis (back) returns. Multiple position eligibility is always a welcome thing in fantasy leagues. And Middlebrooks should maintain a good deal of fantasy value if he continues to see regular playing time.

Will Middlebrooks had a monster night Monday, going 3-for-5 with a pair of homers and five RBI in a win over the Royals. The kid is threatening to Wally Pipp Kevin Youkilis (back), putting up a two-homer game following a grand slam on Sunday. Middlebrooks is now batting .381 with three longballs and nine RBI in his first 22 plate appearances with the Sox while also chipping in with a stolen base. We still expect Youkilis to get his job back when he's ready, but the Red Sox' top prospect is making things interesting.

Will Middlebrooks (hamstring) is back in the Red Sox' lineup Sunday. As expected. The youngster missed Saturday's game with cramping in his left hamstring but is fine now. Middlebrooks has picked up three hits in his first nine major league at-bats.

Will Middlebrooks said he was merely dealing with cramping in his left hamstring and will be available to play Sunday. Middlebrooks was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup, but it appears that the hamstring is a non-issue. "I've been drinking a lot of fluids,'' he said. "I'm fine now.'' The Red Sox' top prospect has three hits in his first nine at-bats with the big club.

Will Middlebrooks has been scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Orioles. Conflicting reports on whether the decision is injury-related, but Middlebrooks is apparently dealing with left hamstring tightness. Mike Punto is starting at third base, batting leadoff. Ryan Sweeney is hitting sixth.

Red Sox recalled 3B Will Middlebrooks from Triple-A Pawtucket. He'll be the primary third baseman while Kevin Youkilis is on the disabled list. The team's top prospect, Middlebrooks was batting .333/.380/.677 with nine homers, 27 RBI and a 1.057 OPS over his first 24 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He's worthy a short-term gamble in deeper mixed formats.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said during an appearance on WEEI in Boston that Will Middlebrooks will be in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the Athletics. The Red Sox have yet to make the promotion official, but there is an open spot on the active roster following Lars Anderson's demotion to Triple-A. Either way, it's a pretty good bet that Kevin Youkilis (back) will be placed on the disabled list. Middlebrooks, 23, was hitting .333/.380/.677 with nine homers, 27 RBI and a 1.057 OPS over his first 24 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He's a must-own in AL-only leagues as long as he's with the big club, but we wouldn't get carried away in mixed formats. Keep in mind that Middlebrooks will almost certainly be sent down as soon as Youkilis is ready to return.

Red Sox optioned 3B Will Middlebrooks and OF Che-Hsuan Lin to Triple-A Pawtucket; optioned LHP Drake Britton and INF Oscar Tejada to Double-A Portland. The Red Sox reassigned right-handers Tony Pena Jr., Chorye Spoone and Alex Wilson and outfielder Juan Carlos Linares to minor league camp. Middlebrooks, who Baseball America ranked as the organization's No. 1 prospect over the winter, batted .316 (6-for-19) with one double, one RBI and seven strikeouts during Grapefruit League action.