Sports

Red Sox righty Beckett placed on 15-day disabled list

CHICAGO — The Boston Red Sox have placed right-hander Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list because of right shoulder inflammation.

Manager Bobby Valentine said before Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs that the Red Sox are “going to take the conservative route.”

Beckett is 4-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 12 starts this year. He was scheduled to start Sunday.

Valentine announced after Friday’s game that left-hander Franklin Morales will start in his place. Morales is 0-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 relief appearances.

The Red Sox recalled right-handed reliever Clayton Mortensen from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Beckett’s roster spot.

Mortensen appeared in three games for the Red Sox in early May, allowing six hits and one run in 9 1-3 innings. He struck out 12 with no walks.