Red Sox activate right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett from 15-day disabled list; Designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox today activated right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett from the 15-day disabled list and designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment.  Beckett is slated to start tonight’s game against the Mariners in Seattle.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. 

Beckett, 32, has been on the disabled list since June 16 (retroactive to June 12) due to right shoulder inflammation.  The right-hander has posted a 4.14 ERA (36 ER/78.1 IP) while going 4-7 in 12 starts for the Red Sox this year.  He has held opponents to two runs or less in four of his last six starts, tallying a 2.68 ERA (13 ER/43.2 IP) with 30 strikeouts compared to six walks over the six-start stretch with a 2-3 record in that time.  Acquired by Boston from Florida prior to the 2006 season, Beckett has gone 129-88 with a 3.85 ERA (770 ER/1,800.0 IP) and 1,677 strikeouts in 291 career Major League games (288 starts) with the Marlins (2001-05) and Red Sox (2006-12).

McDonald, 33, has played in 38 games for the Red Sox this season, going 18-for-84 (.214) with seven doubles, two homers, nine RBI, 17 runs, 12 walks and a stolen base while making appearances at all three outfield positions.  He reached base in 16 of his 22 starts this year and hit at a .286 clip (8-for-28) over his last 12 games.  Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent prior to the 2010 season, McDonald has appeared in 234 games with the club over the last three seasons and has hit .248 (175-for-707) with 38 doubles, five triples, 19 homers, 78 RBI, 98 runs scored and 14 stolen bases over 302 career Major League games with the Orioles (2004), Twins (2007), Reds (2009) and Red Sox (2010-12).