OAKLAND -- Josh Beckett pitched five innings in a camp game yesterday, allowing one run and two hits with six strikeouts — and seems to be set to make his first start of the season Sunday in Toronto, the final game of the Red Sox’ never-ending road trip.

Manager Terry Francona said he will speak to Beckett in Toronto tomorrow and confer with pitching coach John Farrell and GM Theo Epstein before making the move official.

Beckett had been concerned that he may not yet be ready to go deep into his start, but with an off-day scheduled Monday between the road trip finale and the home-opener, that’s less of an issue.

“I think that might have been wearing on him,” said Francona.

Beckett will draw Roy Halliday as an opponent for his first start of 2008.

Beckett has been sidelined for almost a month with back spasms incurred in early March.

Beckett was placed on the disabled list last week, retroactive to March 19. When Beckett is activated, the Sox will have to move one of their extra relievers off the roster to make room.

-SEAN McADAM