31.   Luis Alicea, a veteran middle infielder, can switch-hit and also spell Tatis at third.

32.   Light-hitting Juan Castro is the backup middle infielder.

33.   Middle infielder candidate Santiago Perez is sidelined with a jammed right shoulder.

34.   Middle infielders want the fingers short and spread wide, to create a broad, shallow pocket.

35.   Middle infielders Valentin and Alicea made Red Sox postseason history when both stroked home runs.

36.   Neither Red Sox middle infielder caught the ball and it hit the runner.

37.   Oates said being able to play second base will be an important attribute for the backup middle infielder.

38.   Now you look at guys, middle infielders look like middle linebackers.

39.   On the bench, Juan Bell has been a shaky backup middle infielder.

40.   On the first pitch to Jeter, Ledee was running, and Jeter grounded a single between the middle infielders as Ledee motored into third.