Josh Beckett's next start for Boston, already pushed back two days to give him more time to work on his recent problems, might be delayed further.

Beckett will be examined today after enduring back spasms last night while practicing hitting for a three-game interleague series starting May 21 at Philadelphia.

"We really don't know" if it will affect plans for Beckett to pitch Friday, manager Terry Francona said after Boston's 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last night.

Before the game, Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell said the right-hander would start Friday night in Detroit, while knuckleballer Tim Wakefield takes Beckett's spot tomorrow at home against Toronto. The Red Sox are off Thursday.

Farrell said the switch gives Beckett an extra side session today, which may now be in jeopardy.

"We'll get him checked out in the morning," Francona said. "When he was swinging ... it spasmed up on him a little bit."

Beckett is 1-1 with a 7.46 ERA in seven starts and has allowed at least seven earned runs in three of his last four outings. In a 10-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday night, he gave up nine runs in 5 1/3 innings. Six of them scored in the sixth when Beckett hit two batters with pitches.

ELSEWHERE

Braves: Pitcher Jair Jurrjens has had a setback with his ailing left hamstring. Jurrjens, who is on the 15-day disabled list, says he was trying to sprint before Atlanta's game against the Milwaukee Brewers last night when he heard a pop in the hamstring. He'll stay with the team and get an MRI when the Braves return to Atlanta.

Dodgers: Los Angeles has placed right-handed pitcher Charlie Haeger on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis. The knuckleballer lasted only 22 pitches and did not retire any of the five batters he faced in his last start, Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers called up right-hander John Ely from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Mets: New York placed backup catcher Henry Blanco on the bereavement list so he can be with his ailing mother in Venezuela. The Mets recalled Josh Thole from Triple-A Buffalo before last night's game against Washington.