BOSTON (AP) -Josh Beckett’s first start in the AL first-round playoffs series against the Los Angeles Angels was pushed back to Game 3 after the Boston Red Sox ace injured his side throwing a bullpen session.
Jon Lester will pitch the opener for the Boston Red Sox at the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night, followed by Daisuke Matsuzaka on Friday night, manager Terry Francona said.
Beckett, a postseason star, is slated to start Sunday’s game at Fenway Park. A fourth game, if necessary, would be played in Boston next Monday night.
Francona said after Sunday night’s regular-season finale that Beckett strained the oblique muscle in his side on the 40th pitch of his normal side session Friday.
73 ERA.
He was 12-10 with a 4.03 ERA this season when he had two stints on the 15-day disabled list – from March 19 to April 6 (back spasms) and Aug. 18 to Sept. 5 (right elbow inflammation).
On Aug. 29, Beckett was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola., Fla..
“I don’t trust anybody more than I trust him when it comes to stuff like that. Just to go down there and hear it from him. It’s something I needed to do, just to clear my mind,” Beckett said then. “He said my ligament looked fine. That’s what I was afraid of. … It was a big relief.”
He’s struggled at times this season, including his last outing of the regular season. last Monday. he allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings during a 4-3 loss to Cleveland, hitting three batters for the first time in his career.
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