Dodgers Blue Heaven: Josh Beckett to DL

Friday, August 08, 2014

Josh Beckett to DL - All Hail Josh Beckett

As expected, Josh Beckett has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. To replace him is newly acquired starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez - who starts tonight's game. Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to August 4) with a left hip impingement and activated right-handed pitcher Roberto Hernandez, who was acquired yesterday from Philadelphia.

Beckett has made 20 starts for the Dodgers this season, posting a 6-6 record with a 2.88 ERA (37 ER/115.2 IP) with 107 strikeouts. The 14-year Major League veteran made three starts since being reinstated on July 22 from the same injury that sidelined him on July 8 and will be placed on the DL for the third time this season.

And with that move, the Josh Beckett era in Dodger Blue may be over, and I, for one, will miss him.

Josh Beckett was an able warrior who battled all odds to pitch again, and pitch effectively. During his short stint in Los Angeles he suffered through injuries and a loss of confidence that rattled his mind and caused him to openly talk about retiring. Still, he fought back and worked hard to stay in the Dodgers rotation.

For his efforts, he was rewarded with an unlikely season that saw him strike out nearly a batter every inning and maintain an ERA of under 3.00. Better yet, he had flashes of brilliance that resulted in two 2-hitters, a 1-hitter and his only career no-hitter just a couple of months ago.

The photos from that no-hit game are priceless, and given this news I suggest taking a moment to check out Jon SooHoo's photo blog from that game to relive the afternoon (go here). The photos in this post are from that game, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014. Also, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares a couple of great articles about Beckett that were originally printed in the Dodger Insider Magazine, here.

BTW, LA Times reporter Dylan Hernandez tweeted that Don Mattingly believes that Beckett will pitch again this season. As impossible as this may seem, considering his current hip injury and the rumors that surgery is in his near future, I wouldn't be surprised. Like I intimated above, Josh Beckett ain't no quitter, and I have no doubt that he'll do everything he can to get back on that mound.