Josh Beckett continues to try to get his back settled down.

AP / Charles Krupa

BRADENTON, Fla. — Red Sox manager Terry Francona made it official that Josh Beckett will not travel to Japan with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Instead, the right-hander will stay in Florida to continue to rehab his ailing back.

“He will not go to Japan, which I think we’re using common sense,” said Francona. “We’re trying to do things in the correct order, and he completely understands.”

Beckett played catch with pitching coach John Farrell in Fort Myers yesterday morning, and Francona said the pitcher felt no pain. Beckett played catch at 60 feet and then progressed to 75 on flat ground with “no concerns.”

“He did fine,” said Francona from Bradenton, where the Red Sox faced the Pirates. “He had no concerns and that’s what we were shooting for. He’ll ramp it up a little more (today).”

Beckett will play long toss tomorrow, and the best-case scenario is he’ll throw a side session on Thursday. Farrell reported to Francona and told the manager the ball came out of Beckett’s hand well.

There’s still no timetable on his return, but the Red Sox will use caution with him.

While the Red Sox are barnstorming around the globe, Beckett will remain at the spring training facility. The team is trying to figure out which members of the medical and training staff will stay behind to work with Beckett at City of Palms Park. There was some discussion about sending him back to Boston, but the team decided it was best to keep him in Florida, probably for the warm weather.

If he continues to progress, there is a possibility he could make a minor-league rehab start.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, whose wife gave birth to the couple’s second child on Saturday, will likely be the club’s Opening Day starter against the A’s in Japan. Jon Lester will likely work the second regular-season game. Francona said he’ll have an official announcement on what the rotation will be for the trip today.

Wakefield outstanding

Tim Wakefield worked five perfect innings in a minor-league game for the PawSox yesterday in Fort Myers. Since Boston released his personal batterymate, Doug Mirabelli, last Thursday, the team felt it would be best to have Wakefield and catcher Kevin Cash work together in a minor-league game instead of traveling to Bradenton. Wakefield struck out three and threw 64 pitches (48 for strikes). Cash had no passed balls.

“Today was as good as I have ever seen him pitch,” said Cash, who also caught Wakefield last season when Mirabelli was on the DL. “I don’t care who he’s facing; when he’s down in the zone, he’s hard to hit.”

Preparations continue

With the Japan trip just two days away, the Red Sox continue to prepare for their global trek. Francona said that the organization continues to school its players and personnel on health matters.

The club’s chief internist, Dr. Larry Ronan, has been in town talking to players about trying to stay awake as much as possible during the 19-hour flight in order to help make the transition to Japanese time easier. The players have been told to stay hydrated, and there will be a limit on alcohol. On the return trip, the players have been told to sleep as much as possible.

“They’ve done some homework on it, which is good,” Francona said. “They want us not to sleep on the way over and sleep on the way back. Don’t tell Oakland that because we don’t want to help them out.”

Around the bases

Francona said there’s nothing new to report on ailing center fielder Coco Crisp (groin), and it appears that he, too, will remain in Florida when the team leaves for Japan. … Bobby Kielty (calf) was back in the lineup yesterday and snapped an 0-for-14 spring slump with a single to center field to lead off the top of the second inning. He was replaced by pinch-runner Joe Thurston, which was the plan before the game. … Julio Lugo (lower back) played his second consecutive game and went 2-for-4. He hit in the leadoff spot and served as the DH. He’s expected to play shortstop against the Yankees today in Tampa. … Manny Ramirez will be given today off.

jmcdonal@projo.com