Red Sox RHP Beckett on DL, could start next Friday

Aug 30, 2008 - 1:46 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox placed righthander Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. But the news was not all bad.

Beckett, who missed his scheduled start Thursday with right elbow inflammation, visited famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Florida, one day later for further examination.

The report was as good as could have been hoped, revealing no structural damage.

"Josh was examined (Friday morning) by Dr. Andrews. Everything came out (that) the word would be awesome from our standpoint," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Everything was clean. There were a number of tests, and Josh came through with flying colors.

"Obviously, we hoped for that. We needed to get some closure."

The hard-throwing righthander has not pitched since August 17, when he allowed eight runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. Two days later, it was revealed that Beckett had been pitching with numbness in his fingers, which was attributed to his ailing shoulder.

Beckett said the trip to Florida gave him a valuable piece of mind.

"I don't trust anybody more than I trust (Dr. Andrews) when it comes to stuff like that," Beckett said. "Just to go down there and hear it from him. It's something I needed to do, just to clear my mind to make sure this wasn't anything more serious than I thought it was."

Beckett said the diagnosis showed no serious structural injury.

"He said my ligament looked fine. That's what I was afraid of. People come back from it but it can take a long time," Beckett said. "It was a big relief. We put it off because I think everybody was kind of scared at some point or time, whether it be me or the organization."

A 20-game winner last season and former World Series MVP, the 28-year-old Beckett has gone 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts this campaign.

In a corresponding move, Boston purchased the contract of catcher David Ross from Class AAA Pawtucket. Ross, who was signed as a free agent last Friday, hit .231 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 52 games with the Cincinnati Reds this season.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Ross, the Red Sox moved shortstop Julio Lugo, who has been out since July 12 with a strained left quadriceps, to the 60-day DL.

Also joining Beckett on the sidelines is first baseman Sean Casey, who was placed on the 15-day DL - retroactive to August 20 - with stiffness in his neck. Casey is batting .345 in 59 games.

To round out the 25-man roster, the Red Sox will give top pitching prospect Michael Bowden his first taste of the major leagues on Saturday. The 21-year-old righthander had his contract purchased by Boston on Friday.

Bowden went 9-7 with a 2.62 ERA at two minor league levels with 130 strikeouts and 29 walks in 144 1/3 innings.

A supplemental first round pick in the 2005 draft, 47th overall, Bowden will become the the fifth member of that draft class to reach the majors for the Red Sox, joining Jacoby Ellsbury, Craig Hansen, Jed Lowrie and Clay Buchholz.