March 11, 2008 Beckett hurtin', status uncertain

(NECN) - With two weeks until opening day in Japan, the Red Sox starting pitching situation has been thrown for a loop.

Planned Opening Day starter Josh Beckett told reporters Monday that his back had gotten worse, not better, since he had to walk off the mound before throwing a pitch Saturday.

"Today wasn't as good a day as yesterday," Beckett said. "We'll just have to wait and see, I guess. [The] doctors actually told me yesterday that there was a possibility I would come in and feel like I do today. So as far as that goes, the doctors were right."

Boston's ace says he had difficulty sleeping Sunday night, and noted, "I was a lot more optimistic yesterday than I am today," he said.

If Beckett can't make the Sox' trip to Japan, it's possible the team will have to go with the man who was penciled in as the team's fourth starter before camp opened, lefthander Jon Lester.

Lester pitched well in an exhibition game against the Mets on Monday, striking out 5 in four innings of work.

His path to Opening Day possibility is a result of three issues - Beckett's back, Curt Schilling's shoulder injury, which will keep him out for at least four more months, and the impending fatherhood of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka's first child is due on March 19, so he might not make the Japan trip.