71.   The Mets also are trying to acquire a left-handed middle reliever.

72.   The middle relievers did a great job, particularly Butch Henry.

73.   The new arrivals are left-hander Randy Johnson, right-hander Todd Stottlemyre, right-hander Armando Reynoso, all starters, and left-handed middle reliever Greg Swindell.

74.   The middle reliever expressed some frustration last weekend over the lack of communication with Sox brass during his rehab assignment in extended spring training in Florida.

75.   The Mariners got to him and middle reliever Alejandro Pena for five runs in the inning, which seemed to be the forerunner of another bullpen collapse.

76.   The New York Mets traded pitcher Toby Borland to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Rick Trlicek, an exchange of struggling middle relievers.

77.   The news on Pettitte helped offset a forgettable outing by Mike Thurman, who is seeking to win a spot as a middle reliever until Ramiro Mendoza gets healthy.

78.   The most significant player Phillips traded for this winter was the middle reliever Donne Wall.

79.   The Red Sox continued to consider a couple of trade possibilities Friday and also re-signed middle reliever Mike Maddux to a one-year deal.

80.   The relievers are usually closers and sometimes setup men, but never middle relievers.