Bronx, NY -- (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday because of right elbow inflammation.

The 28-year-old righty plans to have the ailing elbow examined by renowned orthopedist Dr. Jams Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

Beckett, who last pitched on August 17, had originally been dealing with numbness in the pinky and ring finger on his right hand, but the team learned later that elbow inflammation was also plaguing the 2003 World Series MVP.

A 20-game winner last season, Beckett is 11-9 with a 4.34 earned run average in 23 starts this season.