Middlebrooks went 1-for-3 with a double in Thursday night's loss to the Cardinals. The double was his first extra-base hit against a right-hander since Apr. 29.

Middlebrooks is hitting a paltry .143/.263/.286 against right-handers this season, making it easy for manager John Farrell to find at-bats for Brock Holt at third. This really is an important stretch for Middlebrooks, who needs to show the organization he can handle major-league pitching consistently. The good news is that the double was to right field, offering a reminder of his ability to drive balls to all fields.

Middlebrooks is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Middlebrooks just returned from a finger injury last week, but including Wednesday's contest, he has started just two of five games since being activated from the disabled list. The Red Sox have not stated how they will divide the playing time at the hot corner the rest of the way, but Middlebrooks and Brock Holt figure to continue sharing the duties at least for the time being.

Middlebrooks is not in the starting lineup Sunday vs. the Yankees, Maureen Mullen of the Boston Globe reports.

Middlebrooks will sit for the second time in three games since returning from the disabled list. With the Red Sox outfield becoming a bit more crowded following the trade deadline, Brock Holt has seen increased reps at third base, a development that could rob Middlebrooks of playing time.

Middlebrooks is not in the starting lineup Saturday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Brock Holt is leading off and playing third base while Middlebrooks sits against Yankees right-hander Shane Greene.

Middlebrooks went 1-for-3 with a run scored and two strikeouts in Friday night's win over the Yankees.

Middlebrooks is expected to see a lot of time at third base, so he'll have another shot to grab hold of the job full time. If there's any slippage in production, manager John Farrell can easily replace Middlebrooks with Brock Holt.

Middlebrooks (finger) was activated from the disabled list on Friday and is in the starting lineup at third base, Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports.

Middlebrooks will hit seventh in the lineup for the Red Sox on Friday after finishing his rehab assignment in the minors for a broken right index finger. The team designated Mike Carp for assignment Friday to open up the roster spot for Middlebrooks.

Middlebrooks (finger) will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, the Providence Journal reports.

Given the Red Sox's trade deadline moves, Xander Bogaerts will move to shortstop, enabling Middlebrooks to return and slot in at third base. He's been on an extended rehab stint at Triple-A Pawtucket since fracturing his right index finger back in mid-May.

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated Saturday that Will Middlebrooks (finger) will remain at Triple-A Pawtucket indefinitely.

Farrell had said previously that Middlebrooks could possibly be activated over the weekend, but that won't happen and it sounds like he'll remain at Pawtucket for a while. "I think there's been a little confusion with maybe some of the messages that's been interpreted that he was going to be activated this weekend or the same time that Vic has been," Farrell said. "I think the one thing we want to be sure of, and that continues, is that Will continues to get everyday at-bats. For the time being, that will take place in Pawtucket."

Will Middlebrooks (finger) could be activated from the disabled list sometime over the weekend.

Middlebrooks will resume his rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday after missing a week of action following a jammed wrist. The Red Sox have flirted with the idea of giving Middlebrooks some reps in left field, but for now they're having him focus on third base.

Will Middlebrooks (finger) is expected to resume a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Middlebrooks' rehab stint was halted last week after jammed his wrist while sliding into a base, but the injury was never a major concern. It's not clear where he fits with the Red Sox right now, but there could be an opening for him at third base if Stephen Drew is traded and Xander Bogaerts moves back to shortstop.

Will Middlebrooks (finger) will restart his minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Middlebrooks was shut down for the past week because of swelling in a finger on his right hand. The third baseman doesn't really have a spot right now in Boston, so he'll probably be rehabbing for quite a while. Middlebrooks may begin playing some left field at Pawtucket.

Will Middlebrooks (finger) has been shut down from his rehab assignment.

Middlebrooks was scratched from Monday's rehab game when his previously fractured right finger swelled up, and obviously he's still having issues with it. The third baseman is out indefinitely.

Will Middlebrooks was scratched from a rehab game at Triple-A Pawtucket Monday due to swelling in his right finger.

It's the same finger, of course, that he fractured last month. At this point it's not clear how much of a setback it is for Middlebrooks. The 25-year-old has played in six rehab games so far for Pawtucket.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Sunday that Will Middlebrooks (finger) may see some time in the outfield during his rehab assignment.

He began his rehab assignment Friday and will need another week or so at third base to get back up to speed. However, after that the Red Sox want to test out his versatility as they consider him for more of a utility role with the big club. Middlebrooks lost out on his starting job after the Stephen Drew signing.

Will Middlebrooks (finger) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Middlebrooks is going to serve as Pawtucket's designated hitter in his first game there. He's likely to spend a long time in the minors because there is no longer a regular job available for him in Boston with Stephen Drew at shortstop and Xander Bogaerts at third base.

Will Middlebrooks (finger) has begun taking swings.

Middlebrooks still has some discomfort throwing because his finger doesn't straighten all the way out, but he's making progress. It's unclear when he'll be ready for game action. He'll likely serve as a backup infielder or regular in Triple-A when he's back to full health.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Tuesday that Will Middlebrooks (finger) is "still trying to gain full range of motion with the index finger."

"That's not there yet," Farrell added. "He won't start to swing a bat until he's able to gain full range of motion, which would indicate that the healing of the fracture is moving along as anticipated. He's still in kind of an inactive period." Obviously, Middlebrooks shouldn't be expected back anytime soon. When he does come back, it will be as a backup or possibly a regular at Triple-A.

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated that Will Middlebrooks (finger) could start at third base versus lefties once he returns from the disabled list.

The signing of Stephen Drew has pushed Xander Bogaerts to third base, leaving Middlebrooks without an everyday gig. However, he could still be a factor against southpaws, with Bogaerts moving back to shortstop. "We fully anticipate Will being here," said Farrell. "If there are alignments to take advantage of individual strengths, we're going to do that. Without getting too far ahead of myself, that's the best I can tell you right now."

Red Sox placed 3B Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured finger.

Middlebrooks was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game and had been trying to play through the pain. Brock Holt was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will help carry the load at third base in his absence.

Will Middlebrooks returned to action on Tuesday May 13.