DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL East—Middlebrooks mired in minors

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox welcomed back Shane Victorino (OF, BOS) on June 8, a return that will curtail the playing time of Mike Carp (OF/1B, BOS), cost Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF, BOS) his roster spot and revert Jonny Gomes (OF, BOS) to the role he is best suited: facing LHP almost exclusively.

Carp has swung a hot bat but his BA will inevitably regress, given his 41% h% (83% over the last week) and 65% ct%. The power, though, suggests Carp has put his 2012 injury woes behind him.

Meanwhile, Will Middlebrooks (3B, BOS) will be left in the minors for an extra few days to find a “groove” before his return; his 69% ct% and 24% h% conspired to keep his BA around the Mendoza line. While Middlebrooks isn’t likely to contend for a batting title...

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