BOSTON – Right-hander Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox is expected to return to the rotation Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.

Beckett was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against Minnesota. He left his previous outing after 2 2/3 innings because of a back spasm.

Manager Bobby Valentine said Beckett threw on the side Saturday and “felt great.”

Beckett has had a subpar season, going 5-9 with a 4.54 ERA in 18 starts.

• Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was scratched from the starting lineup against Minnesota because of what Manager Bobby Valentine called a minor leg injury. Ellsbury entered the game in the ninth inning.

ROCKIES: Colorado put outfielder Michael Cuddyer and left-hander Christian Friedrich on the 15-day disabled list.

Cuddyer has been bothered in the last several days by a strained right oblique muscle.

MARLINS: Miami placed second baseman Emilio Bonifacio on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb and purchased the contract of infielder Nick Green from Triple-A New Orleans.

ORIOLES: Baltimore purchased the contract of outfielder Nate McLouth from Triple-A Norfolk.

NATIONALS: Washington optioned catcher Sandy Leon to Triple-A Syracuse, making room for newly acquired catcher Kurt Suzuki.

ATHLETICS: Rookie right-hander A.J. Griffin left the game against Toronto with tightness in his pitching shoulder.

ROYALS: Kansas City fired first-base coach Doug Sisson.

INDIANS: Cleveland activated designated hitter Travis Hafner from the paternity list.

PHILLIES: Philadelphia placed All-Star catcher Carlos Ruiz on the disabled list because he has plantar fasciitis in his left foot.