The Red Sox have announced that third baseman Kevin Youkilis is headed to the disabled list with a lower back injury that has kept him out of the Boston lineup for three straight days.

The move comes at the end of a day of roster moves that seemed to be circling around Youkilis' back and Aaron Cook. Now it's finally official: the Sox will be without Kevin Youkilis for the next two weeks, and the Will Middlebrooks era is underway, if only temporarily.

It's been a difficult start to the season for the three-time All-Star. Not producing with the bat, looking sluggish at third, and not even able to reach base on walks as he was to start 2011, Youkilis has gone from being an essential part of the heart of the lineup to a liability over the past month.

For now, Will Middlebrooks will get his shot to show what he can do on a major league stage while Kevin Youkilis tries to get himself right. With a little luck, this can be both a short and long term positive for the Red Sox.