11.   A backup middle infielder is needed, and nonroster invitee Tim Bogar could be the guy.

12.   A backup middle infielder in Chicago, the Yankees acquired Sanchez to fill that same role after middle infielder Luis Sojo was sidelined with a broken arm.

13.   A middle infielder was in left.

14.   Bunting for a base hit would have been fine for most middle infielders -- not for a slugging catcher.

15.   Busch was notified Wednesday night that he would return to the minor leagues because the club needed a middle infielder, specifically, Juan Castro.

16.   But Cox could have assumed, with much justification, that the shortcomings of his substitute middle infielders would not have manifested themselves.

17.   But Cox could have assumed, with justification, that the shortcomings of his substitute middle infielders would not have manifested themselves.

18.   But manager Bobby Cox was uncertain just how long to go with the two middle infielders this weekend.

19.   Cromer, batting eighth, continued to confound all those scouts who had pigeon-holed him as an all-glove, no-hit middle infielder.

20.   Early in camp, Bell took young middle infielder Hanley Frias under his wing and showed him his defensive routine, about taking grounders and how to improve.