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Josh Beckett Scratched From Sunday Start

Josh Beckett has shoulder inflammation, and will miss his scheduled turn in the Red Sox’ rotation.

Jun 15, 2012, 9:39 PM UTC

Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox looks on during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Red Sox 4-1. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images)

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Josh Beckett Headed To 15-Day DL

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The Red Sox' Josh Beckett has had a rough go of it in 2012.

He hasn't missed a start, but hasn't had many good ones, either, and twice in 12 outings he's given up seven earned runs. He did throw seven pretty good innings in Miami against the Marlins on Monday, allowing six hits and four runs, with just one walk and five strikeouts, in a Red Sox defeat.

So this news is somewhat unexpected:

Beckett scratched for Sunday. Inflammation in shoulder. Morales will start in his place.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) June 15, 2012

I’m sure there will be those of you who will immediately blame this on his recent golf outing. So in honor of that, I’m going to pause here so you can tell a golf joke or three:

All right, now that you've had your fun, lefthander Franklin Morales has not started a game since 2009 when he was with the Colorado Rockies. He has a 3.04 ERA and 1.225 WHIP in 22 relief appearances for the Red Sox this season; on short notice, that's likely the best Bobby Valentine could do.

Such are the 2012 Red Sox.

For more on the Red Sox, please visit Over The Monster and SB Nation Boston.

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