updated 8:06 p.m. ET Aug. 29, 2008

BOSTON - 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 in 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 if the best I’ve ever seen.”

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

But he’s struggled at times this season with an 11-9 record and 4.34 ERA. In his last outing, a 15-4 loss to Toronto on Aug. 17, he allowed eight runs in 2 1-3 innings. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 18.

Now Francona hopes to have Beckett back for the stretch drive for a playoff spot.

“There were a number of tests and Josh came through with flying colors,” he said. “Obviously, we hoped for that. We needed to get some closure.”

In other moves, Boston placed first baseman Sean Casey on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 20 with a neck strain and moved shortstop Julio Lugo from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list with a strained left quadriceps. Lugo can come off that on Sept. 10.

The Red Sox also purchased the contract of catcher David Ross from Triple-A Pawtucket. Boston signed him as a free agent Aug. 22, three days after he was released by Cincinnati where he hit .231 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 52 games this year.

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