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Beckett Scratched, Will Get Ailing Elbow Examined

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

NEW YORK - Josh Beckett was scratched again from a scheduled start, and the Boston Red Sox ace plans to have his ailing right elbow examined by orthopedist James Andrews.

Beckett plans to see Andrews in Alabama today, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees.

A serious injury to Beckett would be a major blow to Boston, trying to repeat as World Series champion. The Red Sox lead the AL wild-card race after completing a 6-3 road trip.

A 20-game winner and postseason star for Boston last season, Beckett hasn't pitched since Aug. 17, when he reported numbness and tingling in his right arm.

He missed a turn in the rotation, but he had been slated to start tonight against the White Sox at Fenway Park. Daisuke Matsuzaka will get the ball instead on his regular four days of rest.

It appeared Beckett had already left the clubhouse when it was opened to reporters after Thursday's game.

Beckett was roughed up for eight runs and eight hits in 21/3 innings of a 15-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Aug. 17. He felt numbness and tingling in his right hand after sleeping on his arm the night before, so he started sleeping with a special sleeve to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

The 2003 World Series MVP with Florida, Beckett is 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA this year. He said the elbow has bothered him on and off this season.

ANGELS: Second baseman Howie Kendrick, one of the team's top hitters this season, went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Kendrick, batting .308, left Wednesday night's game against Oakland after he felt tightness in the hamstring running from first to second in the fourth inning.

BRAVES: Right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano had elbow surgery and is expected to be ready by spring training next season.

NATIONALS: Right-hander Shawn Hill is being shut down for the season after he experienced swelling in his right elbow during rehabilitation from an arm injury.

YANKEES: Joba Chamberlain thinks he could return next week, and he expects to be used out of the bullpen.

On the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis, Chamberlain threw 45 pitches off a mound Thursday and said his arm felt good.

His next step will be facing batters in a simulated game Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

SUSPENSIONS: Four more players from the Dominican Summer League were each suspended 50 games Thursday for testing positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs under baseball's minor-league drug program.

The four players suspended were all pitchers, with Arturo Florentino, Carlos Galvez and Jose Tineo in the Cubs system; and Michael De La Cruz of the Rangers.

They tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone, a steroid.

De La Cruz's suspension will begin immediately. The suspensions of Florentino, Galvez and Tineo will begin at the start of next season.

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