Josh Beckett threw today in Ft. Myers for the first time since injuring his back last weekend and kicking off BeckettWatch (also known as the day every Sox fan across the land simultaneously felt like they'd been kicked in the stomach, because we are not a calm and laid-back lot).
Hooray for Josh's return to throwing, because I have to say that I really enjoy seeing this Josh:
A whole lot more than this Josh:
Josh threw 35 pitches off of flat ground (25 at 60 feet, and 10 at 75 feet)- and, crucially, felt no pain or discomfort. Coach Farrell says Josh will move back to 90 feet tomorrow, then on to long toss on Tuesday, more flat ground on Wednesday and then back to the mound on Thursday. That would seem to indicate he'd be staying in Florida, right Tito?
That puts to death any chance we had at wacky Josh in Japan stories involving sushi hijinks or the Texan-to-Japanese language barrier."He's not going to go with us to Japan," Francona said. "Again, I think, using common sense along the way ... but you try to do things in the correct order and everything like that. Talked to him this morning about it. He completely understands."
on March 16, 2008 2:02 PM
He does look a tad depressed in the lower photo, doesn't he?
It's a relief and a disappointment all at once, I guess. The big question now is when he'll make his season debut. Farrell seemed to think the Oakland series might be "too aggressive," so will he pitch in Toronto? Or will they hold him back for the home opener? (Ring ceremony and a Beckett start? Could be the most awesome day ever.)
It's kind of funny that he's been here three years and he still hasn't gotten the Opening Day nod. Better luck in 2009, Josh.