Beckett Set To Start Thursday Or Friday
BOSTON (CBS) - Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett is set to start Thursday or Friday, manager Terry Francona announced Tuesday.
Beckett will meet with Dr. George Theodore later on Tuesday to determine the day. The Sox right-hander, out the last week with a right ankle sprain, threw a successful side session on Monday to put him in line for a return.
"Basically he knows he's going to pitch, we just have to determine when," said Francona. "I think we knew he was heading in that direction, but it's sure nice to hear it. Sometimes a guy will go out and throw and come back and go 'well, it's just not right.' He was really gung-ho that's he's ok."
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"You get to know guys too, when Josh isn't right he'll let you know. So when he says he's good, that's a good sign."
The Red Sox open a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Boston currently owns a three-game lead over the Rays in the Wild Card standings.
Beckett is 12-5 this season with a 2.49 ERA in 27 starts this season.
Francona also said injured starter Clay Buchholz, out since mid-June with a back injury, continues to throw side sessions and could be ready to throw in the bullpen later in the week.
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"That will kind of be determined how he bounces back tomorrow," said Francona. "When he gets to this effort level, we want to see how he bounces back."
"He's getting himself towards a bullpen for sure," said Tito.
