BOSTON -- Red Sox Pitcher Josh Beckett experienced back spasms while swinging a bat before Monday night's game against the Blue Jays and will be re-evaluated Tuesday, manager Terry Francona said after Monday night's 7-6 win.
Beckett was part of a group of pitchers taking swings in the indoor cage just before the game, Francona said, when he felt the back "grab" on him. The back condition had nothing to do with the team's decision earlier in the day to push back Beckett's next start from Wednesday to Friday, Francona said. The Red Sox won't know until Beckett's checked Tuesday whether he'll be able to make his scheduled turn.
The pitchers have begun taking batting practice in advance of interleague play. The Sox are in Philadelphia to face the Phillies May 21-23, and with the games in a National League park, pitchers will be obligated to bat.
Gordon Edes is ESPNBoston.com's Red Sox reporter. He covered the Red Sox for 12 years and has reported on baseball for 25 years. Ask a question for his next mailbag here.