Covering the bases with Youkilis

Ortiz in, Drew out. Varitek in, Kotchman out. Baldelli in, Lowell out.

The only constant in all of this is Kevin Youkilis. He’s always in. But he’s not always playing the same position.

Youkilis’s versatility gives Francona options that most managers do not have. Youk is a Gold Glove first baseman. That’s where he belongs. But he can play third as well as just about anybody in either league. If Francona wants to give Mike Lowell’s old bones a rest, Youk can be Brooks Robinson for the night.

He can also play short, second, left, center, or right. Just don’t expect Ozzie Smith, Roberto Alomar, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie Mays, or Roberto Clemente.

Happily, Youk is not complaining about any of this. He looks at the lineup card, grabs the appropriate mitt, and goes to work. Not many managers have had a player with this level of skill and understanding.

The Red Sox lineup card for tonight’s 7:10 game against Gavin Floyd and the White Sox will not be made public until 3:30 this afternoon. Youkilis already knows where he is playing.

“They tell me the night before,’’ said Youkilis, who singled in the Sox’ second run in last night’s 6-3 victory over the White Sox.

He has done this before.

“In 2005, when I was down [in the minors], I played third, first and second for a couple of weeks,’’ he said. “That’s the last time I really did something like this. I just go out and play the position. Whatever glove I have on is the position I’m playing that day. Do my work to get ready for the game and that’s about it.’’

Which one is harder?

“Third’s definitely harder than first,’’ he said.

“It doesn’t bother me. It’s definitely good for the team and that’s what it’s about. I’m trying to help the team win ballgames. We just have a situation where we have a lot of guys that can play a couple of spots. We just have to make sure everyone’s fresh.’’

Youkilis is intense. We saw this when he charged the mound after getting hit by a pitch in a game against the Tigers two weeks ago. The rage cost him five games and brought criticism to his stall. He was wounded by the poison arrows.