The third baseman is back after suffering a broken wrist in 2012.
FORT MYERS, Fla, - Watch out, you Northeastern Huskies. Will Middlebrooks wants to play baseball.
"I don't care who we're playing. Northeastern? I'm ready to go,'' the Red Sox third baseman said Tuesday at JetBlue Park.
Middlebrooks has been waiting for awhile to play. He played in 75 games last year, batting .288 with 15 home runs as one of the American League's most promising rookies.
On Aug. 10, his season ended when he broke a bone in his right hand. He will play on Thursday, either against Northeastern University or Boston College as the Red Sox open their exhibition season against their traditional college opponents.
Even during rehab, Middlebrooks stayed active.
"I worked on defense a ton. It was the one thing I could do while I was in a cast,'' he said.
"I took 100 ground balls a day. I was trying to get rid of bad habits.''
There are some defensive questions about the 6-foot-4 Middlebrooks, who was once a shortstop. Some analysts have suggested he could someday play first base, but the Red Sox have shown no interest in moving him.
It was Middlebrooks' emergence, in fact, that allowed Boston to trade Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox. As he enters his first full year with Boston, Middlebrooks is optimistic about himself and his team.
"I think they've put together a great crew here. It's a great core of veterans who know how to work hard and how to win,'' said Middlebrooks, 24.
He is especially impressed with Mike Napoli, a catcher who is making the transition to full-time first baseman.
"He's been great over there. I've thrown him some sliders and some balls in the dirt, and he's picked them out, no problem,'' Middlebrooks said.
"I think we'll see nothing but good things from him.''
The Red Sox have not decided which regular position players will face Northeastern, and which will play against BC. The lineup will be split up, with each player expected to get two at-bats.
