41.   Mlicki, whose long-term contribution to the Mets figures to be as a middle reliever, was trying to rebound from several disappointing outings as a starter.

42.   Middle relievers are critical because the extra workload will fall on them.

43.   Middle relievers rarely get victories or saves.

44.   Now, starters get a win after five innings, and then you have the middle reliever, and then the closer.

45.   No middle reliever has been honored with the Cy Young, and it is doubtful a pitcher from that Rodney Dangerfield capacity ever will.

46.   Once a starter has left early, the Padres have been forced to use their weak middle relievers, who have come in only to make matters worse.

47.   Or maybe that middle reliever, the one called in to strike out lefties?

48.   Others teams saw less in Hernandez, projecting him as a middle reliever.

49.   Perhaps the biggest improvement among the Diamondbacks over last season has been by right-handed middle reliever Bobby Chouinard.

50.   Quality middle relievers are a must.