Red Sox pitcher Beckett doubtful for Tokyo trip

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett has a back injury and is unlikely to travel with the World Series champions to Tokyo for Opening Day game against the Oakland Athletics.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona told ESPN.com on Tuesday it was unlikely Beckett's back would be healed in time for him to pitch in Major League Baseball's season opener.

"I don't think we know yet," Francona said. "But we're certainly not going to rush him back to pitch a game March 25 if he's not ready. And I think if you look at it with common sense, he's not going to pitch over there."

Beckett experienced back spasms during warm-ups before a scheduled start last Saturday against the Marlins and has not thrown since.

The Red Sox are planning to leave Florida for Tokyo in eight days on a 17-hour flight.

Beckett has only pitched two innings against a college team on February 28 and three innings of a "B" game against the Minnesota Twins four days later.

Boston is now targeting early April for Beckett's 2008 major league season debut.

"We'll just let him get better at his own pace," Francona said of the big right-hander. "He's going to try real hard. But we don't want to push him because he'll push himself."

Beckett's injury has been officially described by the club as "discomfort" in his lower back.