Red Sox News

After a slow start to the season, the Red Sox is starting to heat up. A recent five-game winning streak helped bring their record to 11-12.

Kevin Youkilis has missed the past few games due to back issues, prompting the Red Sox to call up top prospect Jose Iglesias. Iglesias was struggling at the plate in Triple-A, hitting just .200. but his defense continues to impress, justifying his call-up. To make room for Iglesias, the Red Sox sent Junichi Tazawa down to the minor leagues, despite the fact that Tazawa has yet to allow an earned run this year. According to the Worcester Telegraph and Gazette, Bobby Valentine said that the decision was, “not based on his (Tazawa's) performance. It was based on his contract. He's one of the few players we are allowed to move back and forth.”

According to WEEI.com, the Red Sox have called up the sinkerballing righthander Aaron Cook today. Cook, who is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in Triple-A, had opted out of his contract, giving the Red Sox 48 hours to either call him up to the majors or let him go. Boston chose the former, as many had expected them to do. Cook is expected to be placed in the starting rotation, which has struggled thusfar, although he can also come out of the bullpen. It has not yet been announced who will be sent to make room for him.

According to Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com,  Will Middlebrooks is joining the team in Boston, although he has not yet officially been added to the roster. Middlebrooks, a third baseman, is considered one of the top prospects in the orginization, and he has lived up to that billing so far this year, hitting .333 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs in Pawtucket.