Josh Beckett injured his right oblique muscle in a bullpen session Friday and will not pitch until Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels, Terry Francona said after Sunday night's game. Jon Lester will pitch Game 1 Wednesday night and Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch Game 2 Friday night.

Francona was confident the injury would not keep Beckett, the reigning ALCS MVP, out of the Angels series altogether.

"We're slotting him in there because we think he can pitch there,'' Francona said. "Friday [Game 2] was actually discussed. But then you're pushing. It's not just health, but it's competing also. I think he's going to be OK."