Josh Beckett has likely thrown his last pitch as a member of the Red Sox. (Getty Images)

In perhaps the strongest sign yet that the rumored Dodgers-Red Sox blockbuster is reaching the end-game stages, Boston right-hander Aaron Cook has been told he'll start in place of Josh Beckett against the Royals on Saturday night, CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports. 

Beckett, of course, is a key part of the proposed nine-player swap that, should it go through, will also send Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to Los Angeles.

On the season, the 33-year-old Cook is 3-7 and has a 4.79 ERA in 62.0 innings pitched.    

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