Gresh & Zo: Middlebrooks Or Youkilis?

Gresh & Zo discussed Wednesday the Red Sox' third base situation.

Should Will Middlebrooks remain the starter or does Kevin Youkilis get the job back when healthy?

Ben Cherington gave Youk a rather firm vote of confidence that he wouldn't lose his job, but was that so he would take his time with the rehab?

Scott Zolak said that with Middlebrooks being taken out of two games in his first week in the bigs, it gives you an idea that Youk's toughness may be enough alone for the veteran to keep his job.

"Whether you like him or not, whether it looks like he winces every time he bends over to pick up a baseball ... there's something to be said for those guys who push through it," Zo said. "And how much does Youk actually push through it? Maybe they know and we really don't."

Andy Gresh said that Middlebrooks offers something Youkilis can't: youthful energy.

"To me, this is the one guy that can energize this team," Gresh said. "This is the guy who can come into the room and give the Red Sox something positive to focus on."