AL | Josh Beckett on 15-day DL with inflamed elbow

Josh Beckett was put on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed right elbow, and manager Terry Francona hopes the Boston Red Sox ace can return to the rotation next Friday at Texas.

Beckett was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., on Friday.

"I don't trust anybody more than I trust him when it comes to stuff like that. Just to go down there and hear it from him. It's something I needed to do, just to clear my mind," Beckett said. "He said my ligament looked fine. That's what I was afraid of. ... It was a big relief."

Beckett had been scheduled to pitch Friday night's opener of the three-game series with the Chicago White Sox but was scratched Thursday, when he went on the disabled list, and replaced by Daisuke Matsuzaka.

"I don't like to see anybody get hurt, but thank you, Josh," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said with a smile before the game. "To me, he's one of the best pitchers, if he's not the best pitcher, in the game. This guy is a big-time, big-game pitcher.

"They're going to miss him. I'd rather face anybody else than face him. He's one of the best I've ever seen."

Beckett was 20-7 with a 3.27 earned-run average last year then went 4-0 in the postseason when the Red Sox won the World Series.

Baltimore: Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora left the game against Tampa Bay because of a strained left hamstring Friday night.

Detroit: Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera left Friday night's game against Kansas City in the sixth inning because of a mild strain of his left pectoral muscle.

Kansas City: Royals' first-round draft pick Eric Hosmer can't play until the Pittsburgh Pirates settle their dispute with their first-round selection and the players' association. The commissioner's office has withdrawn approval of Hosmer's contract pending the resolution of a grievance against the Pirates filed by the MLBPA in support of No. 2 overall pick Pedro Alvarez. Until then, Hosmer is not able to play for the Royals or any of their minor-league affiliates.

New York: Even seats behind the outfield fence will be costly at the new Yankee Stadium. The front part of the area behind the outfield in right and left will cost $100 and $75 per game next year as part of season-ticket plans at the $1.3 billion ballpark. But behind those four sections of seats, and to the rear of the bullpens closer to center field, are nine sections of bleachers priced at $12, the same as the cost this season in the final year of the 85-year-old ballpark.

Oakland: Brad Ziegler received a bit more recognition for his record-setting season. The Athletics honored their right-handed reliever before the game. The 28-year-old Ziegler tied the major-league mark for relievers by pitching 39 straight shutout innings to start his career, having his streak stopped by Tampa Bay earlier this month.

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