Monday morning, Red Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves let the cat out of the bag. He told reporters that he was expected to on call to start the second game of the regular season because Josh Beckett -- the scheduled starter for that second game -- has a thumb injury. Manager Bobby Valentine is the one who told Aceves to be ready for Game 2 (via BostonHerald.com). Since Aceves broke the news, reporters on site have learned that Beckett is currently flying to San Antonio to have his thumb examined. From there, he'll fly to Detroit to meet up with his team in anticipation of opening the season against the Tigers. (via BostonHerald.com)
A Red Sox spokesperson said the club doesn't "have a sense of how major [Beckett's thumb injury] is." (via BostonHerald.com)
Beckett, though, told WEEI.com via text message that his thumb is "fine" and he's going to make that scheduled start ... "as far as I know."
Valentine told reporters Monday that Beckett was getting the thumb examination for "peace of mind" and that he "totally" expects Beckett to make that start as well. (WEEI.com)
This revelation of a thumb issue is the second in two days with the Red Sox, as closer Andrew Bailey is dealing with one himself, we learned Sunday.
Losing Beckett for any amount of time would be a crushing blow for the Red Sox, considering their already-thin starting pitching corps. Beckett, 31, was 13-7 with a 2.89 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 175 strikeouts in 193 innings last season. He made his third All-Star Game and finished ninth in AL Cy Young voting.
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