Youkilis makes major league debut

Former Sea Dog Kevin Youkilis made his major league debut on Sunday and impressed with two hits, including his first major league home run. The home run was a bit of a surprise considering that Youkilis had only 23 homers in his three-year minor league career, but his bomb on a hanging change up by Pat Hentgen was measured at 402 feet. The future star also had two hits in Sunday's game and sports a nifty .500 batting average, but the Greek God of Walks has yet to draw a free pass in the major leagues.

Youkilis' stay in the majors is likely to be a short one, as he was filling in for an ailing Bill Mueller over the weekend. When Mueller comes back, Youkilis will probably be returned to Pawtucket where he can play regularly. This was a nice move by the Sox, though, in sending down extra pitcher (12th man in the bullpen, third lefty) Mark Malaska to avoid putting Mueller on the DL. I think Malaska is a good major league pitcher, but the Red Sox don't really need a 12th arm, and Lenny DiNardo (who I also think is a good pitcher), as a Rule 5 pick from the Mets organization, would have to be waived before he could be sent to Pawtucket. Overall, I give high marks to the Sox for roster management in this case. My hope is that the Sox will continue with 11 pitchers when Mueller is ready and Youkilis is sent down. Maybe Trot Nixon will be ready to return by then.