HBT: Beckett to miss start with ailing shoulder

Shortly after the final out of today?s loss to the Cubs the Red Sox announced that Josh Beckett has been scratched from his scheduled Sunday start due to shoulder inflammation.

Franklin Morales will make the start in his place, which is interesting because Morales has been strictly a reliever since the Red Sox acquired him from the Rockies in May of last year. He?s pitched well for Boston, throwing 56 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 51/19 K/BB ratio, but all 58 appearances have come in relief.

In fact, the last time Morales started a big-league game was for the Rockies on April 21, 2009. He lasted just two innings that day and has been a full-time reliever ever since. Morales is unlikely to pitch deep into the game Sunday even if he?s doing well, although he has gone three or more innings in an appearance twice within the past two weeks, throwing 52 and 36 pitches.

Beckett dealt with some shoulder/lat muscle problems last month, but he?s thrown at least seven innings in six consecutive starts and has a 2.68 ERA during that span.

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