The Los Angeles Dodgers received some quality work from starting pitcher Josh Beckett over the first half of the season, including a no-hitter. It looked like a rebound season from the veteran righty and former World Series hero.
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A left hip operation has changed everything for Beckett. It ended his season, and now it has the 34-year-old considering retirement at season’s end. According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles:
"“At some point, you decide, ‘Is this really worth trying to get myself ready for another season when you know the stuff that goes into it,’ ” Beckett said. “It’s not the pitching part that bothers you. I probably felt best on the days I pitched. It’s the other days leading up to it. I’m not announcing anything right now. I don’t know if the decision will be made before Christmas. It may be the day after the season, it may be January.”Beckett began hinting that he might retire after the season in a TV interview immediately following his no-hitter. He has pitched 2,051 innings over 14 major-league seasons."
In 20 starts this season, Beckett went 6-6 with a 2.88 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 115.2 innings of work. It was hard to imagine those kinds of quality numbers after Beckett had a 5.19 ERA in 2013. A free agent at season’s end, Beckett will be in the right position to take his time and make a decision about whether or not to pursue one more big league contract.
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