TOKYO -- It now seems likely that Josh Beckett will begin the year on the disabled list -- and Mike Timlin could possibly join him.

Beckett, who has missed the last two weeks because of a lower back strain, threw off the mound Friday in Fort Myers and is progressing. But with no need to rush him for the games in Oakland on April 1 and 2, the Sox could backdate him on the DL and have him eligible to come off on April 3. That’s an off-day for the Sox in Toronto and would make Beckett eligible for the series against the Blue Jays.

Such a move would buy the Sox more time in determining their roster. It would allow them to keep an extra reliever on board for the first week of the season. The Sox have a number of pitchers battling for the final spot in the bullpen -- Bryan Corey, Craig Breslow, Javier Lopez and David Aardsma -- and each is out of options.

That means the Sox would have to expose three to waivers before getting them to Pawtucket. It’s more likely that the Sox make a minor deal for one of them rather than lose them for nothing.

As for Timlin, who received a cut on his finger that required stitches last Tuesday, his availability is in question.

Manager Terry Francona said Timlin was “a little stiff . . . tender” on Saturday.

Timlin will probably get the stitches out Monday or Tuesday, but the Sox could keep him out of the two regular-season games here Tuesday and Wednesday without having to send him to the DL.

When the Sox leave Japan, however, if Timlin isn’t ready, he’ll have to go on the DL. That, too, would provide the Sox with addtional evaluation time for their bullpen moves.

smcadam@projo.com