Dodgers right-hander Josh Beckett was placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to the All-Star break due to what was termed as a right hip impingement. According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, he returned to the mound today and was pleasantly surprised by his progress.
#Dodgers Josh Beckett said he "felt better than I expected " throwing off mound for 1st time since contrast MRI and cortisone injection
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 19, 2014
#Dodgers Josh Beckett said MRI of hip showed labrum tear, two cysts. Officially "impingement syndrome"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 19, 2014
The Dodgers have yet to make an official announcement on the next step, but Beckett is aiming to return Tuesday against the Pirates. The 34-year-old owns a 2.26 ERA and 95/32 K/BB ratio over 103 2/3 innings this season, easily his best numbers since he finished ninth in the AL Cy Young balloting in 2009. The hip issue sounds like something he’ll attempt to manage and pitch through, but the Dodgers would do well to add some insurance for their rotation before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, especially considering the struggles of Dan Haren.