< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Beckett's oblique not torn

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff October 16, 2008 04:49 PM

Despite a report by Tom Verducci on the Sports Illustrated web site, the Red Sox have refuted the claim that Josh Beckett has a torn oblique muscle.

Not only did manager Terry Francona deny that the oblique was torn in today's session with the local writers, an organizational source did the same earlier in the day. The oblique is strained, not torn, both said, and the injury happened in a side session the final weekend of the season, not in Beckett's last regular season start.

"I don't know how to answer something that's not true," Francona said. "I can guarantee you that that's not -- I don't think anybody's capable of doing that [pitching with a torn oblique], nor would we let him. If it was torn, he would not have been able to do what he did."

Beckett, by all accounts, would still be in line to pitch in Game 6 if the Sox were to win tonight and extend the series.

« Back to Front Page

6 comments so far...

The Sox organization should be thinking of pitching by committee like there is no tomorrow. If anyone is healthy they should be able to get loose and pitch their best for an inning or two. If necessary and someone on the staff pitches an inning in this extremely desperate and unusual situation that same pitcher should be able to come back in for another inning in the following game. It might be the only way to survive the playoffs and get to the World Series. Beckett if he is right could stay in the game for four or five innings and possibly more if he is his old self and able to throw more than 92 like his last time out and then Lester could pick up a couple of innings or maybe fiish the game. There are others including DelCarmen that has to come through, if only for an inning. Although highly unusual if necessary Beckett and Lester could come right back in game 7. Remember Don newcombe pitching an entire doubleheader?????Go Sox!

Posted by Jim Phillips October 17, 08 01:13 AM

Beckett will establish his curve early if they have any hope of staying in the game. He's had good curveball control all year. That will keep the Rays off his 92mph heat...enough to give the bullpen a realistic chance. Schilling's presence in the clubhouse should give Josh a boost. Schill knows what it takes to re-invent himself - and Beckett should feed off it. Game 5 just goes to show...the dead DO come back to life!

Posted by Richard A. Berger October 17, 08 02:15 AM

I hope to GOD beckett does not throw his fastball tonite

if he does, and the sox can't score 8-10 runs ITS OVER

he is the best playoff pitcher when he is 95-100% , right now he is not close and

unless beckett smartens up, he will kill our chances of a WS birth, if the pitching staff or beckett have a brain (they didn't his last start) he will LEARN to nibble with fastball, and killem w/ the curve. Pedro learned how to pitch when he couldn't throw 96, tonite BECKETT MUST!

Posted by patsfan October 18, 08 10:26 AM

I will only say that is a lot of persons on the dog out who should be paying attention on how the game will develop tonight. Will not blame on Beckett as he is trying to do what he knows but as all of us may know many times just no can do.
On previous Beckett's outing people on the dog out (I mean staff not players), with all due respect, looked like they were watching another game and doing nothing to the one they were playing. Staff personnel to be on the lookout and proceed as expected from them and do not let things just happen. Jimmy T

Posted by Jaime Torne October 18, 08 12:24 PM