Beckett to miss next start with sprained ankle

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. John Lackey will pitch Friday in place of Erik Bedard (left knee), Kyle Weiland will go Saturday and Jon Lester will pitch Sunday.

An All-Star for the third time this season, Beckett is 12-5 in 27 starts. His 2.49 ERA is tied with Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jered Weaver for second-lowest in the AL, behind Detroit's Justin Verlander (2.34).