Kevin Youkilis Injury: Red Sox Send Youk To DL

The Boston Red Sox have place third baseman Kevin Youkilis on the 15-day disabled list, according to ESPN. Manager Bobby Valentine described Youkilis' injury as a lower-back strain. To replace him on the roster, the Red Sox called up Will Middlebrooks from Pawtucket on Wednesday.

Youkilis, 33, has not played since Saturday, missing three games since then. He told the media on Wednesday that the problem has been identified and that he was feeling better.

The Red Sox' third baseman lands on the DL hitting just .219, with an uncharacteristic .292 on-base percentage.

"It definitely stinks. It's frustrating. I don't want to be injured. I want to play. There's nothing I can do but get healthy and help the team win," said Youkilis, an eight-year veteran in the final year of his contract.

For Middlebrooks, the promotion is a big opportunity. He has nine home runs and 27 RBI with a .333 batting average this season in Pawtucket. He was in the Red Sox' lineup on Wednesday night, batting eighth and starting at the hot corner.

For more Red Sox coverage, visit Over The Monster.