Josh Beckett's back spasms don't appear to be serious, but the Red Sox may not take him to Japan:

There is a chance Beckett will not pitch on Opening Day.

"We're not there yet," Francona said before today's spring meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers when asked whether Beckett could be bumped from the Japan trip. "I will say this: That's not the end all and be all. I said to (Beckett), 'Just get better.' That's what we're focused on."

My Nippon Ham Fighters hat.

My daughter went to Japan in February, and it's grueling trip. I can see where Boston doesn't want to subject Beckett to fourteen hours in a plane seat with little room to move and stretch.

Matsuzaka might not make the trip either, due to the impending birth of his second child. While there was speculation that Beckett and Daisuke could start the first four games of the season, the Red Sox may end up sending Wakefield and Lester or Buchholz in the first two games. With the Athletics weakened by trades, the Red Sox had a good chance at a four game sweep to open the season. With Harden looking healthy, however, Boston might be lucky to come away with a split.

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