We May Be Stuck With More Beckett Losing Starts, Lethargy

ESPN.com's Rumor Central says that the Dodgers' Josh Beckett woes don't have any easy solutions (link insider only):

Josh Beckett insisted after another rough outing Monday that "I'm healthy enough to pitch." But something isn't right with the overpriced righthander, and it could mean a trip to the disabled list.

Beckett lasted just three innings in Monday’s loss to the Nationals, dropping to 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA. Manager Don Mattingly said Beckett slightly strained a groin muscle covering first base on a groundout.

Beckett has battled an assortment of minor injuries and the Dodgers could put him on the DL, reports Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. It just so happens that Zack Greinke will come off the DL to pitch against Washington Wednesday night, so the timing could not be better. A DL stint would also allow the Dodgers to keep rookie Matt Magill in the rotation for the time being.

The Dodgers have limited options on what to do with Beckett, who is owned about $26 million between now and the end of the 2014 season. As Saxon points out, Beckett has not pitched in relief since 2003, so that idea may be off the table.

Looking back on the trade which brought four players from Boston, I don't think I would have picked Josh Beckett, nine months later, to be on pace to be the biggest disappointment in the bunch. I'm hoping that he can turn it around and not end up the season 0-17 or so. But man, his starts are interminable; I don't know if I can sit through another one (at the Stadium, or at home).

He's starting to remind me a lot of former Dodger James Baldwin. Man, 2001 was a long year.