FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett's sore back probably will keep him from going to Japan with his teammates. Curt Schilling's ailing shoulder may not stop him from making the trip.

Beckett's back was stiff today, four days after he felt spasms while warming up for his start against the Florida Marlins. He left the game before it even started.

The Red Sox leave next Wednesday for Tokyo, where they have two exhibition games against Japanese teams before playing the first two games of the regular season against the Oakland Athletics on March 25 and 26.

All signs point to Beckett staying behind, although the team has made no official announcement.

"I'm not that concerned about making a statement about Japan," Boston manager Terry Francona said today. "That's not what is driving us. Just trying to get him healthy."

He said Beckett was stiff today after stretching and exercising yesterday.

"The big thing I stressed to him is that the timetable is that there is no timetable. It's when he's healthy, and that's all I want him to worry about," Francona said.

Schilling is rehabilitating his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined at least until the All-Star break. But the Red Sox have public appearances scheduled in Japan, which Schilling could attend if he goes.

"I think he wants to go," Francona said. "Some of our thinking is we aren't sure it's in his best interests. That's what we care about. The appearances and things like that, that's secondary for what we're trying to do here."

He gave no update on any progress Schilling may have made in his rehab.

"He continues to try and get stronger six days a week. Just going at it," Francona said.