Aaron Cook to start in place of Josh Beckett

In a strong sign that the Red Sox-Dodgers blockbuster is close to being finalized, the Red Sox will start Aaron Cook in place of Josh Beckett on Saturday night.

Josh Beckett has likely thrown his last pitch as a member of the Red Sox. (Getty Images)

In perhaps the strongest sign yet that the rumored Dodgers-Red Sox blockbuster is reaching the end-game stages, Boston right-hander Aaron Cook has been told he'll start in place of Josh Beckett against the Royals on Saturday night, CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports. 

Beckett, of course, is a key part of the proposed nine-player swap that, should it go through, will also send Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to Los Angeles.

On the season, the 33-year-old Cook is 3-7 and has a 4.79 ERA in 62.0 innings pitched.    

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