Major League - Chipper Jones Keeps Eye Will Middlebrooks

Until this week,Chipper JoneswatchedWill Middlebrooksonly from the vantage point of the National League, which was to say he hadn t watched much of him at all.

Then came Thursday night.

Jones already had arrived in town with his Atlanta Braves when Middlebrooks hit a game-tying, two-run homer to straightaway center field at Fenway Park against Marlins relieverEdward Mujica, the culmination of a three-hit, four-RBI outburst.

It was the latest eye-opener from a two-month stint in the majors that has been filled with impressive moments, prompting the Kevin Youkilis [ ]. A major league source suggested yesterday that Youkilis will be jettisoned sooner rather than later.

And now, even the standard bearer for All-Star third basemen for the past 20 years sees what the fuss over Middlebrooks is all about.

I m starting to take notice now, Jones said before the Sox 8-4 win last night. Up until the last month, no. But he looks like a kid who rises to the challenge here at the major league level. When I saw that ball he hit (Thursday) night, wow, that was quite a bomb. He looks to be tailor-made for this ballpark and this organization.

Jones reached the majors with the Braves in 1993, then became an everyday player two years later when he was 23, the same age as Middlebrooks. He helped the Braves to a World Series title in 95, was named NL MVP in 99 and posted eight consecutive seasons of at least 100 RBI from 1996 to 2003. He s a seven-time All-Star and a future Hall of Famer.

But Jones also takes note of the next generation of third basemen, and Middlebrooks has caught his eye.

It seems like he s got a pretty good following, a pretty popular kid with the fans here in Boston. That s a big part, man, Jones said. You get the fans on your side and get them backing you, it can make life a lot easier. He s fortunate that when he s come up, he s produced right away. It looks like he s got a promising career ahead of him.

Middlebrooks followed up Thursday s heroics with three more hits, including a home run and double, and two RBI last night.

Buchholz ill, Cook in

Clay Buchholz is ill and has been scratched from today s start. Right-handerAaron Cookwill come off the disabled list and take his place. The Red Sox will have to make a roster move before the game.

Cook threw 66 pitches Monday in the first start of a minor league rehab assignment from a lacerated left knee suffered on a play at home plate May 5. He was scheduled to start for Triple-A Pawtucket last night but didn t pitch.

ManagerBobby Valentinesaid Buchholz likely will have his turn in the rotation skipped rather than merely pushed back.

Give him another

Making his second spot start in place of injuredJosh Beckett[ ], leftyFranklin Moralesallowed three runs (two earned) and struck out eight in six innings to earn his first victory as a starter since April 8, 2009, with Colorado.