Wakefield to return from DL on Tuesday; Beckett bumped again
Sports Network | August 23, 2008
Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Tim Wakefield is slated to return to the mound for the Red Sox on Tuesday when they open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, while Boston ace Josh Beckett will again have a start pushed back.
Wakefield's start against the Yankees will be his first since August 6, when he gave up two runs -- one earned -- on four hits in six innings in a win against the Kansas City Royals. The 42-year-old knuckleballer, who is 7-8 with a 3.67 ERA this season, has been sidelined since with tightness in the back of his right shoulder.
In his absence the Red Sox acquired veteran right-hander Paul Byrd from the Cleveland Indians.
Wakefield's return can't come soon enough for the Red Sox, who have had to scratch Beckett twice due to numbness in his right hand. Beckett was supposed to start Saturday against the Blue Jays, but the club bumped him back to Tuesday as he dealt with the numbness in his hand. It is unclear when Beckett will make his next start.
Beckett, 28, is in the midst of a sub-par season after leading the Red Sox to a World Series win in 2007. The right-hander is 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA this season, after going 20-7 with a 3.27 ERA in 2007.
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