Josh Beckett Injury: Latest Updates on Red Sox SP's Thumb Injury

The hope that usually comes with the start of the baseball season will make way for a great deal of doubt as Josh Beckett is in danger of missing his first two starts due to a thumb injury. 

TSN reports the Red Sox star pitcher is suffering from a vague thumb injury and will have it checked out in Texas. 

UPDATE: Wednesday, April 4th at 5:10 p.m. ET

There's at least one guy on earth who is not worried about Josh Beckett's injured thumb, and that's Josh Beckett.

Here's what he told Alex Speier of WEEI.com on Wednesday:

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Everything’s fine. I really have no idea how this got blown out like this. I was dumbfounded. The text messages and the e-mails I was getting from guys, I was like, what’s going on here? I think a lot of it had to do with Andrew Bailey also having injured his thumb. But he injured his thumb on one thing. Mine was something that’s happened over time.

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Beckett thinks he'll be just fine this season, as his thumb injury is something he "should just get through for six months."

Apparently, Beckett has already been dealing with his sore thumb for 18 months.

Beckett is supposed to start the second game of the season at the Detroit Tiger on April 7th, but may have to step aside. The report states the following: 

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Right-hander Alfredo Aceves said Monday he has been told to be ready to pitch the second game, against the Tigers, and the home opener, if Beckett is not able to start.

 

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Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine spoke with ESPN and seem optimistic about his pitchers prospects for the second game of the season. 

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He's had a little situation that he's taking care of today -- just for peace of mind," Valentine said.

 

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The report issues that Beckett threw a bullpen session on Sunday and tossed 100 pitches. So far, there is no specifics on how Beckett injured his thumb, via ESPN. 

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Valentine said Beckett has "a little history with it," saying it's not a blister but "just a little situation."

 

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Beckett is coming off a 2011 wherein he pitched a 2.89 ERA and had 13 wins and 175 strikeouts. Before the thumb issue, Beckett looked to be very much back in form. 

Through 19 innings pitched, Beckett had 10 K's and posted a 0.95 ERA. 

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