The Los Angeles Dodgers path to the postseason just became a little more difficult as it’s likely they’ll be without Josh Beckett for the rest of the season.
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That’s the word from Dodgers manager Don Mattingly who suggested a return from the starting pitcher seems improbable.
Dealing with a right hip impingement, it was said in August that Josh Beckett was possibly considering retirement over the injury though Mattingly seemed to scoff at such, hinting that he could possibly return in a week. That of course did not happen and now Beckett will likely need surgery if he’s to continue his playing career.
A free agent at season end, have we seen the last of Josh Beckett in Dodger blue?
#Dodgers mgr Don Mattingly said RHP Josh Beckett pitching again this season is "probably not very possible." Surgery up to Beckett now
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 3, 2014
Beckett, who was acquired in 2012 from the Boston Red Sox has been nothing short of fantastic for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. The 34-year-old posted a 2.88 ERA in 20 starts, pairing that with a very respectable 1.17 WHIP and would have been in the Dodgers playoff rotation (assuming they are to make it).
Now Los Angeles will have to deal with a streaking San Francisco Giants two, currently two games behind in the standings, without one of their top starting pitchers.
It was widely assumed that Beckett probably wouldn’t return this year, though, understandably the Los Angeles Dodgers were holding out hope something would change. Barring a miracle, that appears unlikely.