Youkilis Changes Sox – Traded to Chicago

BOSTON – Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine says he spoke with Kevin Youkilis and apparently Youkilis understood about his lack of playing time. . Youkilis said there was no such talk. It doesn’t matter now as Youkilis was traded to the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart.  Stewart is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in 18 games with the White Sox this season. Lillibridge, 28, is hitting .175 with two RBIs and seven stolen bases in 48 games. The Red Sox will pick up all but $2 million of what is owed to Youkilis.

So ends this drama that started in the spring when Valentine questioned publicly the effort being put forth by Youkilis. Will Middlebrooks now is the Red Sox third baseman.  Overall, he’s hitting .331 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in 40 games with the Red Sox this season. Adrian Gonzalez will go back to playing first base on a regular basis. In his final at Bat , Youkilis delivered a triple and a rousing ovation from the Fenway faithful.

Red Sox News – Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after being hospitalized with gastrointestinal bleeding.