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Dodgers News: Josh Beckett Considering Retirement

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UPDATE (3:50 p.m.): According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Josh Beckett confirmed he will not return this season:


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Upon returning from the disabled list in April, Josh Beckett’s season slowly got off to a promising start. The right-hander threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies May 25 and was in the early discussion for National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Beckett’s performance was a nice surprise for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were unsure what to expect from him considering he was coming off surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. However, it’s been a tale of two seasons for Beckett as multiple injuries have kept him off the mound again.

He pitched with a torn labrum and two cysts in his hip that led to an abdominal injury. The Dodgers placed the pitcher on the disabled list Aug. 8 and manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday he doesn’t expect Beckett to return this season.

Surgery, followed by roghly four months of rehabilitation is the only option to heal a torn labrum in his left hip. Despite putting off surgery thus far, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports Beckett may not take the mound again:

Injured Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett is considering retirement and is expected to address his future before Friday’s game against the D-backs.

The 34-year-old veteran was 6-6 with a 2.88 ERA in 20 starts this season. Beckett came to the Dodgers in the big 2012 trade with the Boston Red Sox that included Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez as well.

If Beckett decides to call it quits, he leaves the game of baseball with an impressive career résumé. In 14 Major League seasons, the three-time All-Star has a .566 winning percentage with a 3.88 ERA and 12 complete games with half of them being shutouts.

Beckett is a two-time World Series Champion and earned World Series MVP honors in 2003 as a member of the Florida Marlins. He was also an ALCS MVP in 2007 as a member of the Boston Red Sox while winning 20 games that season.

Without Beckett, the Dodgers will continue to rely on Roberto Hernandez or Carlos Frias, who made his first career start Wednesday and could see more time in the rotation. Kevin Correia, who was sent to the bullpen, would be another option at the backend of the rotation.
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