Beckett to miss next start with sprained ankle

TORONTO (AP) - Boston Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett has a sprained right ankle and will miss his next scheduled start.

Beckett left in the fourth inning of Monday’s start at Toronto after experiencing pain in his ankle on consecutive pitches. He flew back to Boston on Tuesday to be examined by a specialist.

Red Sox medical director Dr. Tom Gill said in a statement that Beckett’s “examination was consistent with an ankle sprain,” adding that an MRI revealed no damage to Beckett’s ankle tendons or his Achilles’ tendon.

He will be re-evaluated later this week.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Beckett will miss his start Sunday at Tampa Bay. He will be replaced by Jon Lester.