Josh Beckett passed a series of brain function tests this morning after displaying “mild concussion symptoms” when struck on the head by an errant ball during batting practice Monday and has been cleared to resume light activities, but Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports that the Red Sox have scratched him from tomorrow’s scheduled start.
Terry Francona explained that Beckett “will do some biking and some light throwing and see how he progresses from there” before the Red Sox line up his next outing.
And in a sign that the Red Sox aren’t fretting too much about Beckett’s status, Francona joked with reporters that the brain function tests were “hard for him because he’s illiterate ... even on a good day, it’s probably not real good.” Given the latest news about Justin Morneau’s now eight-month recovery from a concussion suffered in July, the Red Sox and Beckett should feel very fortunate.