The fear is now a thing of the past. Red Sox ace Josh Beckett unleashed a 58-pitch bullpen session and declared himself “clear of mind” as he prepared for his start against the Rangers in Texas on Friday. 

Beckett (11-9, 4.34) suggested that the anxiety that accompanied his previous bullpen session last Wednesday in New York was not present. Thanks to a clean bill of health issued by Dr. James Andrews on Friday, the pitcher felt ready to take the hill for his first start since August 17. 

“It was pretty easy going back for this session with full intensity and everything, knowing that everything is okay,” said Beckett. “We’ve got the big hurdle behind us, which was going to see the doctor. We’ve got all that stuff clear. Now we’ve just got to get back in the swing of things. I think today’s bullpen was a really nice stepping stone.”

Yet there will be more stepping-stones for Beckett as he rejoins the rotation. After 18 days on the sidelines, the Sox will have him on a restricted pitch count against the Rangers. 

Manager Terry Francona suggested that a 70-75 pitch outing “might be a bit much” for Beckett’s start. As they usually do, the Red Sox will emphasize the longer view rather than overtaxing the 28-year-old in his return. 

“One thing we’ll do is cut him short on Friday. It makes it harder to win the game, but it’s the best way,” said Francona. “After not starting a game, there’s no good way to go out and let a guy throw a bunch of pitches. We’ll definitely get him back to where the game determines when we take a guy out.”

That is precisely the outcome that Beckett anticipates. The concern that he might need Tommy John surgery now behind him, the pitcher can once again look forward to the rest of 2008.   

“Hopefully, I can get out there every fifth day and help this team win some ballgames,” said Beckett. 

DEFENSE DOESN’T DISAPPOINT

The Sox infield has been in an almost constant state of flux in recent weeks. With the injuries to Mike Lowell, Sean Casey and Julio Lugo, the Sox have had to play a game of musical position players. 

The most notably mobile players have been Kevin Youkilis, who has bounced between first and third, and Jed Lowrie, who has shifted back and forth between short and third. Despite constantly changing personnel, the Sox have remained unaffected. Entering last night, Boston’s three unearned runs since the start of August are tied with the Brewers for the second fewest in the majors. 

“We move Youk from first to third and Lowrie from third to short and they still make plays. It’s not that easy,” said Francona. “Our defense has actually probably been better the last month, and we’ve had a lot of guys moving around. I think what that means is you’re blessed with good players.”

Though Youkilis, who was scratched last night with tightness in his back, likely faces the more difficult move across the diamond, his ability to adapt is not entirely surprising given his Gold Glove credentials. Lowrie, on the other hand, was viewed as a defensive question mark this spring, and his ability to play short seemed an open question.

Instead, Lowrie—who was nicknamed “Smooth” by his high school coach for his steady work in the field—has been an anchor. He has yet to commit an error in 32 games at shortstop, and entered last night with just one error in 30 games at third. 

PATIENTS COMING AND GOING 

Lowell now appears likely to return to the lineup in the Rangers series. While Francona initially thought that such a forecast might be overly optimistic when Lowell offered it, the team’s doctors and training staff have since agreed that such a timetable is reasonable. Lowell, who has been out since August 13, will not require a rehab assignment…Sean Casey, out with a neck strain since August 20, took batting practice and pronounced himself "totally ready to go." He anticipates being reactivated Friday. 

Those returns may be coming at a particularly opportune time, as Youkilis was scratched prior to last night’s game against the Orioles with back spasms, with Jeff Bailey playing in his place. Francona pegged the likelihood of Youkilis playing on Wednesday at 50-50…

Bartolo Colon, who threw six innings on one-run ball for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, will make one more minor-league appearance on Saturday, though the Sox are unsure where. 

Both Triple-A Pawtucket and Double-A Portland could be playing in Game 4 of their playoff series that day, but if both teams either sweep or are swept in their best-of-five series, then Colon will be forced to pitch for Single-A Lowell. Colon remains a candidate to start one game of the doubleheader for the Red Sox on Sept. 13…

David Aardsma has a bullpen session scheduled for Wednesday. If all goes well, then he will travel with the Sox to Texas. If his strained groin continues to bother him, he will have to stay in Boston to continue his rehab.

LUGO FRUSTRATED AND RELIEVED

Julio Lugo, out since before the All-Star break with a quadriceps tear, endured a major setback when he aggravated the injury in Baltimore last month. He has resumed light jogging, and described himself as “kind of angry” to be “going in baby steps.” 

He did, however, suggest that his recent property dispute in the Dominican Republic has reached temporary resolution, and that he will not need to travel back to Santo Domingo. Lugo said that three alleged scam artists, whom he accused of having committed fraud in selling him a $1.7 million parcel of land, have been arrested. With the individuals in jail, the shortstop can now concentrate on baseball rather than his legal woes.

“I was being robbed. It’s a big relief to me,” Lugo said. “It’s not over, because I’m trying to get my money back. It’s not over yet. But I’m going to let my attorneys take care of that, and concentrate on playing baseball.”

Alex Speier is a Senior Writer for WEEI.com.