Dodgers place Josh Beckett on 15-day disabled list

Jun 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Josh Beckett (61) in the second inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Josh Beckett (61) in the second inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip impingement, as Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk passes on. The move actually comes with some good timing as the All-Star break looms in a week.

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Given that Beckett last pitched on July 6, he’ll be set to return to the rotation before the end of the month. That means he could only miss a start or two while on the DL, which is surely what the Dodgers would like to see. Beckett has been lights out for L.A. this season after battling injuries throughout 2013.

Over 17 starts, the 34-year-old has a 2.26 ERA with 95 strikeouts and 32 walks in 103.2 innings. It’s as good as he’s looked in years, partially because he’s finally been healthy after making just eight starts last year.

This injury may interrupt that rebound, but the goods news is that Beckett likely won’t be out for long. And while the Dodgers will surely miss him this month, Calcaterra points out that missing a few starts might not be the worst thing if Beckett wants to save some energy for the postseason.

So the Dodgers will have to work around this injury for a game or two, but otherwise, this is far from the worst-case scenario. Beckett has appeared to avoid a major injury, will only miss a couple starts and should be back by the end of the month. Assuming no setbacks, expect him to be geared to go for the stretch run.