Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is sidelined for the third straight game due to what manager Bobby Valentine called a stiff back. With Youkilis down, the Sox felt compelled to call up Jose Iglesias to offer some infield depth. Given that it is not yet a situation that would merit a stint on the disabled list, however, the Sox had to send down Junichi Tazawa (the only member of the bullpen with options) to clear a roster spot.
"[Youkilis'] back is stiff. With the playing conditions and with the roster situation, didn’t think it was fair for the team to play so short in the infield," explained manager Bobby Valentine. "We have a backup in case we need it."
Asked if Youkilis will require a stint on the disabled list, Valentine offered, "I can't tell."
Iglesias' big league stint, Valentine suggested, "could be short," though circumstances (such as the health of Youkilis) ultimately will dictate that duration.
With Youkilis out, Nick Punto will get the start at third base against A's starter Jarrod Parker, and Igelsias will be available off the bench.
For matchup histories of how the A's and Red Sox have fared against scheduled Tuesday night starters Felix Doubront and Parker, click here [1]. For complete team coverage, visit weei.com/redsox [2].
RED SOX LINEUP
Aviles, SS
Sweeney, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Ross, LF
Saltalamacchia, C
Byrd, CF
Punto, 3B
Doubront, SP
ATHLETICS LINEUP
Weeks, 2B
Inge, 3B
Reddick, RF
Cespedes, CF
Gomes, LF
Suzuki, C
Ka'aihue, 1B
Recker, DH
Pennington, SS
Parker, SP
Links:
[1] http://bit.ly/IuywwO
[2] http://www.weei.com/redsox
[3] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox