Saturday Red Sox Lineup: Will Middlebrooks Returns

Will Middlebrooks is back in the lineup Saturday, finally returning three days after an awkward checked swing knocked him out in the first inning against the Orioles and put fear in the hearts of Red Sox fans everywhere.

The third baseman will bat third Saturday as the Sox welcome the Twins into Jet Blue Park for the first game of the 2013 Mayor's Cup. Shane Victorino will join him as the only other projected starter in a lineup made up more of depth players than prospects:

Boston Red Sox

1. Shane Victorino, RF
2. Ryan Sweeney, LF
3. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
4. Lyle Overbay, 1B
5. Juan Carlos Linares, DH
6. Mitch Maier, C
7. Dan Butler, C
8. Jose Iglesias, SS
9. Jonathan Diaz, 2B

Starting Pitcher -- Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz will also be making his return from injury, pitching for the first time this spring in an actual game after coming up lame during a fielding drill very early on. He's been throwing simulated games all along as the team made sure he was completely healthy, but will likely still be a bit behind the curve as far as preparation is concerned. Nothing that can't be solved in the month left to him before the regular season begins, of course.

The game will be broadcast on WEEI, so there will be a game thread for those interested. The Sox get back on video tomorrow afternoon before a five day drought.