"A few minutes after he felt stiffness in his left knee Tuesday night and opted not to pitch in the All-Star Game, Josh Beckett phoned Red Sox manager Terry Francona and delivered a clear message: Don't worry.

In fact, Beckett expects to make his scheduled start here Sunday night.

"Josh is pretty confident he'll pitch Sunday," Francona said last night before the Red Sox held a workout at Tropicana Field. "If for some reason he can't, we'll back him up a couple of days. I have a feeling that's going to be the worst-case scenario, which is good. But I don't think that's going to happen. I think he's pretty confident that he'll pitch."

Beckett, like the rest of the Red Sox' All-Stars, wasn't required to attend last night's workout, although center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury was here. Upon arriving today, Beckett will throw a bullpen session and make a final decision on his status.

If he's unable to start Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, rookie right-hander Kyle Weiland will take his place. Otherwise, Weiland is slated to start Tuesday night in Baltimore."