Rod

Beck

Beck is out indefinitely because of a personal matter. He’ll need a few weeks to get ready after rejoining the team, and the Padres have no real idea when that might happen.

“He’s doing well,” Towers said, declining to divulge details about Beck’s absence from the club, which dates to March 8 and is being called “health-related,” though not baseball-related. Beck is to begin throwing on Monday, leaving him 3-4 weeks to get ready.

Since June 2, the Padres bullpen has a 2.98 ERA and has issued only 13 walks against 49 strikeouts. Before then, the bullpen’s ERA was 5.60. Manager Bruce Bochy credits new closer Beck, who has allowed the roles of all the other pitchers to solidify.

Manager Bruce Bochy reported that Beck ''is pumped’’ and ''feeling good.’' Beck hasn’t pitched since leaving the club to address a personal problem in early March. GM Kevin Towers has said Beck should join the active roster within two weeks.

''The sad part is he didn’t get an opportunity to pitch as much as we’d like because he was sick,’' manager Dusty Baker said. ''We’d like him to get some innings so he can increase his arm strength.’' Beck may want to try to find a major league job elsewhere.

Well, take a racehorse and make him plow a field and see if his heart is in it. In his last five relief appearances, Beck has allowed five homers and has posted an ERA of 9.00. Even if Hoffman were to get hurt, he’s behind Akinori Otsuka and Scott Linebrink. “I feel like I’m throwing the same stuff up there as last year, and I had a pretty good year last year,” Beck said. Too bad he can’t go back to December and choose the Rockies over the Padres.

Who needs a fastball? Beck now has a 2.57 ERA since being called up and he’s yet to blow a save.

Beck has been absent since the middle of spring training due to a personal problem. He’s expected to work in the sixth and seventh innings after returning.

Beck has given up just one hit in 10 innings. He’ll probably be back in the majors soon, though possibly not with the Cubs.

Beck had an out clause in his contract with the Cubs that allowed him to become a free agent if a major league team wanted him. Apparently, the Padres do qualify, if just barely. If he has a couple of good weeks, Beck just might pitch himself into the closer’s role. For that reason, he’s worth picking up in NL-only leagues.