Josh Beckett Showing Mild Concussion Symptoms After Accident

There are certain ways that one wants to begin Spring Training after having a rough year the season before. One wants to begin Spring Training with crisp stuff and sharp innings. One does not want to begin Spring Training with a head injury. Unfortunately for Josh Beckett, he's got the latter.

Beckett was standing in the outfield Monday morning, prior to a Red Sox exhibition game, minding his own business when a team staffer accidentally hit him with a batted ball off a fungo. Beckett was hit in the left side of his head and went down to one knee. He walked off the field with his hands on his head, and while he seems to be all right, he was checked out by doctors and is said to be showing mild concussion symptoms. He's since gone home to rest.

For Beckett and the Red Sox, this shouldn't be anything major, and Beckett should be right back at it in a day or three. What's troubling is the general unpredictability of head injuries of this nature. One recalls that Justin Morneau was diagnosed with a mild concussion last July, and wound up missing the rest of the season. So while Beckett should be okay, there's no guarantee, and the Red Sox will have their fingers crossed.