Neck pain won't keep R.A. Dickey from making next start for Jays

TORONTO -- Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey has been diagnosed with mild inflammation in his neck and back following an MRI, and will get an extra day of

R.A. Dickey had an MRI done Wednesday that showed only mild inflammation in his neck and back :: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

TORONTO -- Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey has been diagnosed with mild inflammation in his neck and back following an MRI, and will get an extra day of rest before his next start, Saturday against Seattle.

The 2011 National League Cy Young award winner, Dickey left an April 18 start against the Chicago White Sox after six shutout innings with neck and back tightness and has lost his two starts since, April 23 at Baltimore and April 28 at New York.

Dickey underwent an MRI before Wednesday's game against the Red Sox and felt fine after throwing in the bullpen before the game, manager John Gibbons said. Dickey is 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts with Toronto this season.

Gibbons said right-hander Josh Johnson will start Friday against Seattle, his first appearance since being scratched from a start last Friday because of tightness in his right triceps. Johnson is 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts.