TAMPA, Fla. - According to manager Terry Francona, Josh Beckett had a “very good day” yesterday morning during his 120-foot, long-toss session at City of Palms Park. Beckett, who has been sidelined since March 8 with back spasms, has worked out now on back-to-back days and the reports are good. He will not travel to Japan with the team, but if he continues to progress as he has the last few days, his return will likely be sooner rather than later.

“That’s probably going to come fairly quickly,” said the manager. “He hasn’t been down long enough where he’s lost any arm strength. We don’t want to do anything crazy, but he had another really good day.”

Francona said the plan with Beckett now is to remain in Florida. He will eventually pitch in a minor-league game.

-JOE McDONALD