Will Middlebrooks already dealt with a rib injury this season. Now, he’s dealing with a back issue.
Middlebrooks left Thursday’s game with lower back spasms following an at-bat in the fourth inning. Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the game that Middlebrooks is day-to-day, and that the injury suffered Thursday is unrelated to the rib injury Middlebrooks suffered when colliding with teammate David Ross in foul territory on May 7.
“[Middlebrooks’] back started to tighten up throughout the course of tonight’s game,” Farrell said. “This is unrelated to the rib injury that he was dealing with on the collision on the wall 10 days ago or so. In his last at-bat last night over in Chicago … I think he slipped coming out of the box a little bit, but he didn’t mention any complaint prior to the game tonight. As things unfolded, the stiffness was there, so he’s day-to-day right now.”
Middlebrooks left the Red Sox’ May 7 game against the Twins following his collision with Ross, and he missed the following contest. The third baseman hasn’t missed a game since, but he continues to struggle at the plate.
Middlebrooks struck out in his two at-bats on Thursday before being replaced at third base by Pedro Ciriaco. He’s now 2-for-19 over his last five games, and his season average is down to .201.
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