Boston Red Sox: 10 Players Who Need to Pick Up the Slack to Overcome Injuries

Injuries have been a major concern for the Boston Red Sox so far in the 2012 season. But the Red Sox still have the potential to win a lot of games without those players.

The current 25-man roster is one to be proud of for a long stretch of the season. Sure, they are now 1-4, but the pitching should improve with time as the pitchers settle into their roles. Everyone needs to just give them some time to get adjusted.

Kevn Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis is really struggling so far in 2012.

He has only two hits in his first 16 plate appearances and no walks compared to five strikeouts.

It looks as if the Boston Red Sox third baseman could not hit his way out of a paper bag, but if he can step his game up just a little more this season, the Sox will be able to contend in the AL East. If not, the cellar may be the best finish.

Cody Ross

Cody Ross has struggled mightily in the 2012 regular season. He is hitting .188 with no RBI and seven strikeouts.

Ross had a monster spring with six home runs and he needs to start showing some pop in order for the Boston Red Sox to start winning games in April.

Darnell McDonald

Darnell McDonald is an interesting story. He had a terrific spring by batting over .400 with the Boston Red Sox to make the team, but Bobby Valentine has yet to really play him that much

McDonald is hitting .167 in six at-bats with no extra base hits. He has been used in the late innings as a pinch runner and is a great bat off the bench. Doesn't he deserve a start every once in a while?

Mike Aviles

Mike Aviles is back down to hitting .200 with two games in Toronto, after a great final game against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday with three RBI and a couple hits.

Jose Iglesias could have hit .200 and played way better defense than Aviles, so Aviles needs to show how well he can swing the lumber as soon as possible or Iglesias will be knocking on the door for some playing time.

Jacoby Ellsbury

After smacking 32 home runs and swiping 39 bags in 2011, Jacoby Ellsbury has yet to hit a homer or steal a base in 2012.

Ellsbury actually has struggled mightily at the plate in 2012. He has a .100 batting average in 20 at-bats and has only walked three times.

Ellsbury needs to pick up the slack before someone else is placed in the leadoff spot.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has struggled in 2012 with a .077 average in 13 at-bats. Six of his 11 outs has come via strikeout.

If Salty is the future at the catcher position, then he needs to step it up big time fast or the Red Sox will look somewhere else for a catcher who can actually hit major league pitching.

Alfredo Aceves

Alfredo Aceves is the new Boston Red Sox closer until mid-July and he has failed in two out of three opportunities in 2012.

His ERA is now only 27.00, instead of infinity, and that should come down with time.

Expect Aceves to remain dominant until Andrew Bailey returns from his injury. If he doesn't, then expect Mark Melancon to step in.

Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon had a blown save and two losses so far in 2012 and his struggles escalated when Alex Avila hit a walk off, two-run home run off of him in Sunday's 13-12 loss.

Melancon may not be the only bullpen member to blame for the 1-4 start for the Boston Red Sox, but his 36.00 ERA is nothing to brag about.

Clay Buchholz

It may have been a start against a tough Detroit Tigers lineup, but Clay Buchholz struggled through four innings.

It was his first start since June 2011 and he gave up seven earned runs and eight hits.

Buchholz needs to revert to his 2010 form when he won 17 games and his ERA was at 2.33. The Boston Red Sox need him to step it up as the No. 3 starter.

Josh Beckett

Last, but certainly not least, Josh Beckett needs to pick up his game for the Boston Red Sox. His success is central to the success of the Red Sox in 2012.

Allowing five home runs and seven runs in 4.2 innings is just not getting it done. Sure, four of those came against the likes of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, but still Beckett needs to be the stopper and leader in this pitching staff.