Dodgers News: Team Debating Who To Start In Place Of Josh Beckett

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With Josh Beckett going on the 15-day disabled list due to a hip injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have to look for someone to fill his scheduled start on Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

While Paul Maholm may seem like a natural option considering he’s filled in as a spot starter this season, Mattingly will likely look elsewhere according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:

Mattingly said that they will use a spot starter to fill Beckett's spot for his next start. Maholm really isn't built up to start right now.

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 8, 2014

This season, Maholm is 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA in 55.0 innings of work over 23 appearances. In his last 10 appearances, the left-hander has not earned a decision and has posted a 5.25 ERA in 12.0 innings. His subpar numbers and struggles as a starter may be another reason Mattingly is cautious against tapping Maholm to make the start.

According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Red Patterson is a possibility to earn the start:

Mattingly notes Red Patterson has started on Beckett's day in AAA and could be an option to start Sat.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 8, 2014

Patterson is scheduled to start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday. The right-hander is 3-7 with a 5.15 ERA this season with the Isotopes and has one Major League appearance to his name.

Patterson started one game of a doubleheader on May 1 against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched 4.2 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits in what wound up being a 4-3 Dodger extra-inning victory.
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