If there’s a silver lining as the Boston Red Sox hit the road after being swept by the Baltimore Orioles, it’s that whatever Will Middlebrooks has doesn’t appear to be serious.
The third baseman exited Tuesday’s game because of illness and sat out Wednesday, but he’ll be back in the lineup batting sixth as the Red Sox travel to Kansas City to face the Royals.
Also returning to the lineup after having Wednesday off is Mike Napoli, who will bat fifth and play first base. Jackie Bradley Jr. will start in center field and bat seventh, as Mookie Betts bumps to right field in place of Daniel Nava.
Dan Butler will take a seat after collecting his first major league hit Wednesday, as Christian Vazquez will bat eighth and assume catching duties for starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who will look to pick up his third consecutive win.
Check out both full lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (63-83)
Mookie Betts, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Yoenis Céspedes, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Jemile Weeks, 2B
Clay Buchholz, RHP (7-8, 5.29 ERA)
Kansas City Royals (80-64)
Nori Aoki, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Alex Gordon, LF
Josh Willingham, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Liam Hendriks, RHP (1-1, 4.81 ERA)
