"Josh Beckett could not start the second inning of last night's All-Star Game as planned after he experienced soreness in his left knee while warming up.

Beckett hyperextended the knee in his last start before the break, lasting just five innings. Before the game, Beckett said that his knee felt just fine and would not pose a problem.

"It's kind of weird — I was warming up and didn't feel 100 percent,'' Beckett told reporters during the AL's 5-1 loss. "I told (manager) Tito (Francona) if I felt it at all when I'm out here I would speak up. It's not something I was comfortable with. I don't think I re-injured it but it still definitely has inflammation.''

Beckett said he had about 10 pitches left in his warm-ups when the knee acted up, although there were indications beforehand that the knee was still an issue.

"When I came off the long flight it was a little bit stiff,'' said Beckett. "When I got here, I jogged around a little bit. It got a little bit better but it wasn't something I was going to mess with. That was one thing (American League manager Ron) Wash(ington) emphasized, 'I wanna send you guys back the way you came here.' I'm sure he understands but he's probably not happy.''

Beckett told CSNNE.com that he thought it was a "strong possibility'' that he would make his scheduled start Sunday, and that "at worst we might push it back a day or two.''

Beckett emphasized that only the exhibition aspect of the game kept him from pitching.

"I could have pitched, I'm just not comfortable going out there and getting hurt in an All-Star Game and costing myself starts in the second half,'' he said. "I think that's how everybody should be. This game does mean a lot with home field advantage and everything but at the same time there are some things that are ahead that are a little more important."