Francona said Beckett had no restrictions in terms of playing catch right away. The righthander was injured Monday while throwing a pitch in the fourth inning.
All that’s certain for now is that Beckett will not make his next scheduled start this weekend. Rookie righthander Kyle Weiland is set to face Tampa Bay Saturday.
Weiland tuned up for that start by throwing two scoreless innings Tuesday. He had not pitched since Aug. 31, his final start for Pawtucket.
“It was good to get out there and get a few innings,’’ said Weiland, who threw only 22 pitches. “I’m all set in terms of being ready for Saturday.’’
Going the distance Clay Buchholz took another step in his return from a back injury, making 60 throws from 105 feet. “Good day,’’ Francona said “Again, picking up the intensity, picking up the distance.’’ Buchholz will rest today and throw again tomorrow in Florida, this time from 120 feet. “He’s tolerating everything,’’ Francona said … Conor Jackson took batting practice again and is getting close to being ready to play. He has a sore knee, the result of running into the bullpen fence at Fenway Park Sunday trying to make a catch.
Nowhere man J.D. Drew, out with a sprained knuckle on the middle finger of his right hand, tried to play catch Tuesday and had trouble. So in addition to not being able to swing a bat, he is unable to throw. “It didn’t go well,’’ Francona said. “He hasn’t been able to swing, so we’re nowhere.’’ With 19 games remaining in the regular season, Drew is running out of time to make himself a viable option for the postseason roster. He has not played since July 19. “We have three weeks,’’ said Francona. “But you’d rather hear good news than not good news. But you deal with it.’’ Drew is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He hurt his knuckle taking a swing in a minor league rehabilitation game Aug. 30.
