Beckett’s back worsens, Crisp and Lugo still hurt

Josh Beckett’s back flared up today, and he feels pretty pessimistic about his chances of pitching soon.

At this point it seems unlikely that Beckett will be making the trip to Japan, which was my original fear. 

In other injury news, Coco Crisp didn’t take batting practice today because his left groin is still sore.

Damnit Coco, don’t you know it’s hard to trade you when you can’t play?

And why stop there?

Lugo is still out with a sore back. He was expected to take some swings today, but didn’t show up at BP.

Meanwhile, I’m waiting for a smallpox epidemic to hit camp.

Manny and Lugo help their communities

It’s time for spring training, so that can only mean one thing: Manny Ramirez has a car for sale.

Manny donated his custom-built 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible to Boston’s Franciscan Hospital for Children. The hospital has listed the car on Ebay with a starting bid of $30,000. All of the proceeds will directly benefit the hospital.

Of his donation, Ramirez said, “I don’t do it for my legacy. I don’t care about that. My legacy is going to be there until I play. I do it from the bottom of my heart ... If I do something, I do it because I wanted to do it. I’m not doing it for my reputation or image.”

Julio Lugo is also helping a good cause.

He spent his Saturday distributing medicines and vitamins to victims of a tropical storm in his native city of Barahona in the Dominican Republic.

His effort is part of Major League Baseball’s Player’s Trust, which donated $40,000 to the cause.