The Boston Red Sox have put ace Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder.
Manager Bobby Valentine said before Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs that the Red Sox are ''going to take the conservative route.''
''He's got some inflammation that we're going to calm down and take the time, whatever time it takes to do it,'' Valentine said. ''We thought in-between starts was enough. He could have gotten an extra day or two, I guess.''
Valentine said he didn't think the problem was related to a lat injury that caused Beckett to miss a start in the beginning of May. Beckett also has had a thumb issue all season which Valentine said the club may think about ''dealing with'' while he's on the DL.
Beckett declined to comment on Saturday.
Beckett, who is 4-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 12 starts this year, was scheduled to start Sunday. Valentine announced after Friday's game that left-hander Franklin Morales (0-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 relief appearances) will start in his place.
Valentine's initial plan was for right-hander Clay Buchholz to pitch on short rest in Beckett's place, but Buchholz felt he needed the extra days. He is scheduled to start Tuesday against Miami.
Morales will not necessarily have a limit, according to Valentine.
''I think he can pitch more than five (innings),'' Valentine said. ''We have the off day (Monday) and a stacked bullpen. Whatever he gives us should be enough.''
The Red Sox recalled right-handed reliever Clayton Mortensen from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Beckett's roster spot.
Mortensen appeared in three games for the Red Sox in early May, allowing six hits and one run in 9 1-3 innings. He struck out 12 and issued no walks.
Beckett's injury is just another blow to the last-place Red Sox, who already had 10 players on the disabled list, including outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford.
