PAWTUCKET – We’re here at McCoy Stadium for Kevin Youkilis’ first rehab game with the PawSox. The original plan was to have Youkilis DH tonight and play first base in tomorrow’s matinee game, but they’ve reversed the plan and Youk is manning first base tonight. He’s wearing his customary #20 in the field, and he’ll be leading off the bottom of the first. Right-handed reliever Jose Vaquedano gave up his #20 for two days so Youkilis could wear his # with the PawSox, and will be donning uniform #2 for Monday and Tuesday's games.

First at bat against Buffalo Bisons pitcher Fernando Nieve:

1. 88-mph fastball, high for a ball
2. 84-mph slider called strike
3. 91-mph fastball fouled down the 3B line
4. 81-mph change up, inside for a ball
5. 78-mph change up, grounded to third baseman for the out

Nice play by Youkilis in the top of the third stretching at first base for a Travis Denker throw that was wide of the bag.

Second at bat against Nieve:
1. 91-mph fastball, low for a ball
2. 91-mph fastball, fouled back
3. 94-mph fastball, called strike
4. 90-mph, swing and miss for a strike three. (Looked a tad high and out of the zone)

Third at bat against Nieve:
1. 79-mph change up, low for a ball
2. 86-mph fastball, low and away for a ball
3. 91-mph fastball, low and away for a ball
4. 89-mph fastball, high for a ball

That should it for Youkilis tonight: 0-2 with a walk in a game that same him make some plays at first base and run the bases to test out of the left oblique. Youkilis also indicated in an interview during the Cox PawSox broadcast that he wasn't sure how closely the two HBP balls were related to the oblique injury because at least one of the balls hit him in the leg rather than the side. Ah well.

Here's a Youkilis sound byte after the game:

"It's about staying healthy," said Youkilis. "I'm going to DH tomorrow and get some at bats in. Going out and playing in this game and feeling good was the test. I'll come out (on Tuesday) feeling good. Right now I feel good, and if everything goes good tomorrow I'll be ready for Wednesday.

"It sucks for every guy that has to go on the DL. You never want to sit around and watch baseball. You couldn't pay me enough to watch baseball every day. Playing it I like. The reason we sign big contracts is so we can play, and not watch. Some guys like to watch, but not me. I want to play. I think when I retire I won't be watching much baseball."