Beckett, who last pitched May 18 in Yankee Stadium, has been out with a sore back and will not throw for at least another 10 days.
Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell sat down with Beckett on Wednesday and decided that it is too much of a risk to allow the right-hander to continue his recovery at this time.
According to Francona, inconsistencies in Beckett’s delivery have been leading to his back pain, so the Red Sox are going to be cautious because they are invested in him for a long time.
“We lean on this guy too much and we need to," Francona told the Boston Globe. "So until we can completely get that, where he’s going though his delivery [pain free], we’re going to make him take it easy.
"I think he understands it. I don’t think he probably loves it,’’ Francona said. “I think he realizes this is in his best interest, which ends up being in our best interest. So we’re going to be pretty firm on this one.’’
According to the Globe, Beckett could resume throwing June 12. After that, he would require another 10-12 days to build up arm strength and then would likely need to make at least one minor league start.
So the earliest Beckett could make a start for the Red Sox is late June or early July.
In other, yet more optimistic injury news, outfielder Mike Cameron is looking to make his return to the big leagues within the next few days.
Cameron was examined by doctors on Wednesday, and there was no tear in the outfielder’s abdominal region.
That means that Cameron cannot further injure himself by playing. He’ll just have to deal with the pain.
“I think already you can see a different look in his eyes,” Francona said.
Sore ribs are still bothering Jacoby Ellsbury, who did some fielding drills on Wednesday. But there is no timetable for his return.
And Boof Bonser, who was placed on the DL with a groin strain on March 26, pitched very well in his rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday.
Bonser threw seven innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks, while striking out six against Charlotte.
The Red Sox will continue to evaluate Bonser’s progress in the minor leagues.
