Dempster gets call in Wrigley matinee vs. Boston

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The Red Sox visit Wrigley Field on Friday for the first time since 2005 to open a three-game series with Theo Epstein's Cubs.

Epstein was the architect of the Sox's two World Series champions in '04 and '07 before leaving Boston after last season to become Chicago's president of baseball operations.

"First and foremost, it'll be great to see everybody and renew acquaintances with everybody," Epstein said. "It'll be fun to have those guys in town."

Both clubs are struggling in 2012 and have remained in the cellar of their respective divisions for most of the season. Looking to get back to .500, the Red Sox will hand the ball to Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Matsuzaka completed his return from Tommy John surgery with his first start in the Majors in nearly a year last weekend. Dice-K struck out eight in five innings vs. the Nationals on Saturday, but he took the loss after allowing four runs.

The outing encouraged the Sox and Matsuzaka hopes to build off his 80-pitch effort in another Interleague start.

"He looks good around the clubhouse," said manager Bobby Valentine. "He seems to be ready for the next game."

The Red Sox won two out of three games in Miami to start a six-game road trip, including a 10-2 victory on Wednesday night.

Chicago is 3-10 in June, opening the month with a 2-8 road trip. The Cubs enter Friday having lost two of three games vs. the Tigers to begin a six-game homestand.

Ryan Dempster is scheduled to start for the Cubs. He's 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 starts this season and has won each of last two outings.

The subject of swirling trade rumors, Dempster met with Epstein in the stands prior to Wednesday's game vs. the Tigers.

"It's going to come up -- that's the way it is," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "The players know that. You talk to them individually and some guys maybe haven't had their name out there before and all of a sudden, it's out there. Sometimes it's a distraction to players, some understand it happens every year."

Red Sox: Middlebrooks adjusting to role change
Rookie Will Middlebrooks has seen his playing time diminish the last three weeks with the return of Kevin Youkilis after playing every day at third base while the veteran was on the disabled list.

Middlebrooks is now in a rotation with Youkilis and Adrian Gonzalez at the corner infield positions. It can be a challenge for a young player to adjust to a reduction in playing time, but Middlebrooks is faring well. He is hitting .318 with two homers and eight RBIs in his last 19 games.

"Yeah, you have to be strong-minded," Valentine said. "He's watching the game, he's into the game. If I saw any elevated frustration level or any total decline in performance, we'd have to make another decision. It doesn't seem like we're there."

Valentine had a discussion with Middlebrooks once Youkilis returned from a lower back strain on May 22.

"Kind of -- even though I didn't know how it was going to be," said Valentine. "I told him to 'Fasten his seat belt. Life in the big leagues, you're in the fast lane. You're doing great. I believe in you,' and all that good stuff. Those are just words. Until you experience it, it means nothing."

Cubs: Stewart to DL
Ian Stewart has been playing with left wrist soreness for over a year, and the third baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday.

Stewart was hitting .201 in his first season with Chicago. He will see a hand specialist next week.

"In a way, you hope there is something there," Stewart said Stewart. "It has lingered for over a year, or about a year, and nothing has come up. Maybe he'll see something different. I should know early next week."

The Cubs purchased the contract of Luis Valbuena from Triple-A and he started at third on Thursday vs. Detroit. Valebuena went 0-for-3 with an RBI

Valbuena was batting .303 in 58 games at Iowa, and had played mostly second base.

"We got him for a reason," Sveum said of Valbuena, who was claimed off waivers from Toronto. "He plays well, hits well, and he drives the ball for a little guy."

Worth noting
• The Red Sox are 4-5 in Interleague Play this season.

• Cubs outfielder David DeJesus is 4-for-9 in his career vs. Matsuzaka with one home run and two RBIs.

• In the offseason, Chicago manager Dale Sveum interviewed for the same position with the Red Sox.