| 11 May 2010
Yesterday, the Red Sox announced that Josh Beckett's next strt would be pushed back to Friday, so that he could work on some mechanical issues and allow Tim Wakefield to get a spot start and stay stretched out.
Now reports are coming in that Beckett experienced back spasms after taking batting practice in preparation for the umpcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“We’ll get him checked out in the morning,’’ Francona said. “He had a stiff back the other day a little bit, and he was kind of starting to swing the bat and he felt it and it grabbed him a little bit. We’ll get him checked out. Actually, it’s a little bit of a coincidence because he was going to pitch Friday and Wake was going to pitch [Wednesday]."
Beckett may prove to be just fine come Friday, but the purpose of the rotation adjustment was to give Beckett a chance to work on his mechanics. Now, the Sox aren't sure he'll be healthy enough to do that.
Pitching coach John Farrell talked about what Beckett is working on in the Globe this morning:
"There’s multiple reasons for the adjustment in the rotation," Farrell said. "An additional side with Josh to reinforce, particularly out of the stretch, him getting back to a proper balance point and not getting his delivery too spread out to where he loses a downhill plane to his fastball. When he gets into a proper position, his curveball is less readable by an opposing hitter. Part of this is a constant use of the slide step that can cause some of the habits that we’re trying to recorrect here."
The adjustment also means that Beckett will miss the 2-game series in New York next week. Considering the Yankees have tagged him for 14 runs on 17 hits (3 HR) and 6 walks in two games this season... I'd say that's a wise move.
Bottom Line: Wake will get the start on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. This will be an important start because Wakefield would be the guy replacing Beckett in the rotation is these spasms force him onto the DL.
Wake's ERA may be better than Beckett's 7.46, but 6.03 ain't pretty either. Personally, I'll be routing for a quick recovery for the Commander.
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