After all the sturm und drang surrounding the Red Sox' rotation struggles last year, the team quietly filled the last two spots in the rotation with in-house options. They appeared to be settled and ready for the season.
Josh Beckett Injury: Thumb Knocks Red Sox Starter Off Opening-Day Roster
The Red Sox might be without Josh Beckett for the second game of the season.
But, wait. Danger approaches:
Aceves just told us he was told by Valentine that Beckett has a thumb issue that might require Aceves to start for Beckett in Game 2 #RedSox
— Michael Silverman (@MikeSilvermanBB) April 2, 2012
Alfredo Aceves probably wasn't supposed to say anything, but once he did, the Red Sox confirmed the story.
Aceves is a rubber-armed swingman who pitched 114 innings last year in four starts and 51 relief appearances. If Beckett can't go, the rotation to open the Red Sox' season will be Jon Lester, Aceves, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, and Daniel Bard. It isn't exactly Roy, Cliff, and Cole, but the Red Sox should score a few runs this season. They could be fine.
But that’s a lot of untested pitching on a roster built to win now. Beckett will be checked out by a doctor in San Antonio soon, and we should know more this week.
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