Middlebrooks is not in the lineup Friday against the Orioles. The 26-year-old will ride the pine for the first time since Sept. 10, opening the door for Garin Cecchini to make his first career start. Middlebrooks has done little with his increased opportunities with Boston -- he's batting just .173/.218/.212 across 52 September at-bats -- and it's at least possible the team moves on in the offseason.