WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Not all of the thumb injury news is catastrophic for the Red Sox.
While Andrew Bailey seems headed for surgery that could sideline, according to a source, three to four months, starter Josh Beckett is still on target to make his scheduled start in the second game of the season Saturday in Detroit.
Beckett, like Bailey, was due to be examined by specialist Dr. Thomas Graham in Cleveland Tuesday. But the visit seems designed to provide Beckett more with peace of mind after getting another consultation with a specialist in San Antonio Monday.
"Josh has had some soreness off-and-on this spring that he's pitched through,'' said general manager Ben Cherington. "We took the opportunity in the time between his last outing, an extended side he threw in Fort Myers and (the second game of the season in Detroit) to try let him gather as much information as possible so we can help him manage it as best as possible.''
Beckett threw a side session Sunday in Fort Myers, then flew to Texas and on to Ohio to make sure the thumb wasn't going to be a hinderance.
"He's not that concerned about it. We expect him to pitch (the second game), '' said Cherington. "So, it's mostly information-gathering at this point.''
Cherington added that a nagging innjury of this sort "isn't atypical for any player . . . you have something and it crops up from time-to-time and you have to manage it and he's managing it . . . It's something he's been able to pitch through and he's been pitching with, so we're not that concerned.''
The GM added that Beckett has not been restricted from throwing any particular pitch, including his curveball, which is a big part of his repertoire.
"He threw his curveball plenty this spring,'' said Cherington, "and threw it effectively, so I don't think there's any one pitch he's not going to use. He's evolved as a pitcher, but he's not eliminating anything.''