Beckett leaves with ‘mild’ knee strain

55 minutes ago

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Josh Beckett holds his head after being hit by a ball during batting practice on Monday.
(AP Photo/Brita Meng Outzen)

BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox say pitcher Josh Beckett(notes) slightly hyperextended his left knee on the wet mound at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox pulled Beckett after the fifth inning against Baltimore on Friday night, calling it a precautionary move.

Boston already has three starters on the disabled list and doesn’t want to take any chances with Beckett, who was selected to the American League All-Star team. It was not immediately clear whether Beckett would be available for the All-Star game Tuesday.
Beckett was having problems with the wet dirt in the fifth after steady rain fell early in the game. The Red Sox were ahead 8-3 and brought in reliever Matt Albers