Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis (back) will play third base for Triple-A Pawtucket Monday and is expected to be activated by the Red Sox Tuesday.

Assuming everything checks out OK on Tuesday, Youk will be activated. Vultures are circling Boston, monitoring the veteran third baseman’s status. The Red Sox could deal Youkilis if it decides to hand the hot corner long-term to top prospect Will Middlebrooks.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Phillies and Indians are “monitoring” Kevin Youkilis (back) during his rehab assignment.

Both teams are obvious fits, as the Indians have Casey Kotchman and Jack Hannahan at their corner infield spots, and the Phillies have gotten very little out of Placido Polanco. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported earlier Sunday that the Diamondbacks could have interest in Youk, as well. The Red Sox might be willing to deal the veteran after the emergence of top prospect Will Middlebrooks.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Diamondbacks could have interest in Kevin Youkilis if the Red Sox made him available.

With Will Middlebrooks cooling off, it remains to be seen whether the Sox would consider trading Youkilis, who is slated to return from the DL Tuesday. The Reds and Giants could also have interest in the veteran infielder if he’s placed on the trading block.

Kevin Youkilis (back) will play third base for Triple-A Pawtucket through Monday before being re-evaluated by the Red Sox Tuesday.

Assuming everything checks out OK, he should be activated from the disabled list at that time. Calls for Will Middlebrooks to keep the third base job even after Youk returns have been hushed lately following the rookie’s 6-for-36 slide that’s dropped his average to .259. The Red Sox’ top prospect is expected to return to Triple-A Pawtucket when Youkilis is ready.

Kevin Youkilis (back) went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a run scored in three plate appearances during his first rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday.

He was in the DH slot in the PawSox’s lineup. Youkilis will take Thursday off before playing third base for Pawtucket Friday. It’s possible he could rejoin the Red Sox this weekend if all goes well.

Kevin Youkilis (back) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

ESPN’s Buster Olney previously indicated that a minor league rehab assignment was imminent, but we now have the specifics. Youkilis is expected to get three at-bats as the designated hitter in his first game back, but he’ll likely need to play multiple games at third base before the club considers activating him from the disabled list. It’s possible he could return this weekend if all goes well.

Kevin Youkilis (back) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment in the next 48 hours.

Youkilis was eligible to return from the disabled list Monday, but he only recently began baseball activities. It’s not clear when he’ll return from the disabled list, but his rehab stint doesn’t figure to be a lengthy one. Will Middlebrooks may soon be sent down to the minors so that he can continue to play every day.

Kevin Youkilis (back) took 10 swings of soft toss and fielded ground balls Monday.

Youkilis is eligible to return from the disabled list Monday, but the Red Sox will hold off as he continues to increase baseball activities. The veteran third baseman certainly isn’t going to sit when he’s ready to return, so the Red Sox may have no choice but to send hot-hitting rookie Will Middlebrooks back to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Kevin Youkilis (back) is expected to throw, swing and take grounders Sunday.

Youkilis started playing catch Friday but is now increasing his activities. He’s eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Monday, but that’s not going to happen. The Red Sox haven’t provided a timetable, but perhaps sometime later this week is possible if he doesn’t have a setback.