Bellhorn goes on DL; European Deity of Bases on Balls called up

[Fishercat]

Red Sox placed second baseman Mark Bellhorn on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb.
Here's one injury the Red Sox probably aren't especially displeased about. Bellhorn is still the club's best choice at second base, but as badly as he's played of late, getting Kevin Youkilis into the lineup in his place should provide a short-term boost. Bill Mueller can play second the majority of the time until Bellhorn returns. Alex Cora will get the occasional start and be used as defensive replacement

If Mueller can play a competent defensive 2B, Youkilis is almost surely an upgrade over Bellhorn at this moment. At the very least, Youkilis shouldn't strikeout every other time (wouldn't be that bad if he wasn't hitting around .210 with moderate power. He's like the really sucky version of Adam Dunn.

Youkilis hasn't gotten the shot he deserves, so here's to Youk.

[Hammer]

Greek God of Walks flows so much better.

[rockin500]

can mueller's knees hold up to playing 2nd? you need more range there than you do at 3rd.

[Fishercat]

That is a concern. I think it's a risk the Sox take to get Cora out of the daily lineup.

[Voltemand2]

Yeah, but the whole reason they didn't call up a middle infielder is because they want to see more of Cora. The Sox are really high on him, and think he can hit better than he has been this season.

[nyjunc]

Greek God of Walks flows so much better.

yeah but you have to give him so creativity points.

[Fishercat]

And he can hit better than he has, but his best year's are, at best, matching what Youkilis has done in 2005 (very small sample) and Mueller in the previous two years and partially this year.

He can start every once in a while, but if the Sox are trying to win it all again, using games to see if Cora's real is a tough proposition.