Will Middlebrooks and the Boston Red Sox collectively breathed a sigh of relief Thursday afternoon when a hand specialist determined the 24-year-old third baseman did not need X-rays or additional tests on his right wrist.
Amid a successful rookie campaign that saw him hit .288 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI and 14 doubles in 286 plate appearances, Will Middlebrooks saw his 2012 season abruptly end on August 10 when he was hit by a 96 m.p.h. fast ball from Cleveland’s Esmil Rogers. Middlebrooks rehabbed during the offseason and has looked impressive in spring training, but his immediate future was in question after he re-aggravated his right wrist swinging at a pitch in Boston’s game against Baltimore on Wednesday night.
Though Middlebrooks was cleared to play, took batting practice on Thursday and is scheduled to rejoin the lineup on Friday, uncertainty about the condition of his right wrist created speculation about what the Red Sox would do if their right-handed slugger lands on the disabled list at some point in 2013.
Versatile infielders Pedro Ciriaco and Brock Holt (who was acquired from Pittsburgh with closer Joel Hanrahan) would be candidates to fill in for Middlebrooks at third base if he is not healthy on opening day.
Another option is Xander Bogaerts, who was ranked No. 7 on the Baseball News Source Top 10 Prospects List for 2013. The 20-year-old Bogaerts, who projects as a middle of the order bat, has played shortstop throughout his professional career, but he is athletic enough to play third base and the outfield. Bogaerts is expected to play third base for The Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Bogaerts only has 97 at-bats above Single-A, so the Red Sox could take a cautious approach and keep him in the minors even if Middlebrooks opens the season on the disabled list. Or, the club could be compelled to give him a chance in the majors if he performs well in the WBC.
Bogaerts and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. are widely recognized as the two best prospects in the Red Sox farm system. Like Bogaerts, Bradley is slated to open the regular season in the minors – perhaps Triple-A Pawtucket – but Farrell has been impressed with the 22-year-old left-handed hitter’s defense, plate approach, work ethic and enthusiasm in spring training.
Since the Red Sox need a left-handed hitting outfielder to split time with the right-handed hitting Jonny Gomes in left field, it is possible that Bradley makes the Red Sox opening day roster. He has made multiple dazzling defensive plays in center field (his natural position) this spring.
In Boston’s 16-6 lambasting of Pittsburgh on Thursday, Bradley was 3-for-5 with three runs. He was robbed of a hit in his first at-bat as well. Overall this spring, Bradley is batting .571 (8-for-14).
