Can Roberto Hernandez Replace Josh Beckett?
Fausto Carmona Roberto Hernandez has arrived in Los Angeles from Philadelphia via trade and will be starting for the opener in a 3 game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. This officially means that Josh Beckett will be skipped in the rotation and have a start off. In fact, we may have seen the last of Josh Beckett this season as he has undergone an MRI and may likely be on the DL for the season with a hip injury. This is a major blow considering part of Beckett’s allure of being with the Dodgers is his post season experience.
Josh Beckett had an MRI on hip, likely to go on DL, possible he's out for season. Roberto Hernandez takes his spot tomorrow. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 7, 2014
With the recent struggles of Dan Haren and ACL tear of Paul Maholm, the Dodgers have without a doubt been desperate for pitching help. Despite beginning to be decimated with injuries, confidence may not all be lost with Haren, whom pitched a gem of a game versus the Anaheim Los Angeles Angels. There are still concerns considering Haren’s performance since the All-Star break, however.The 33-year-old Hernandez comes to Los Angeles with a losing 6-8 record with a 3.87 ERA. The stat that sticks out the most with Hernadez is his high number of walks, 2.2 an inning.
While a stat that fans would like to bury and burn, the good news is that Hernandez has won 3 of his last 4 starts. While he may not be the idea image of who should be in the starting rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers (And because Cole Hamels has been claimed on waivers by the Chicago Cubs of all teams), Hernandez may be entering a hot streak. A hot streak that may be very beneficial to the Dodgers in case of the optimist view, that Josh Beckett, will not miss substantial time off the mound.
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Beckett’s torn labrum has resulted in 11 earned runs, 21 hits, and 7 walks in only 12 innings pitched, clear indication that there is something wrong and Beckett is not healthy. If Beckett is not placed on the disabled list, Carlos Frias, may make a return to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Josh Beckett's locker in Anaheim is cleared out. He had MRI (hip) & is expected to go on DL for Roberto Hernandez, who starts tomorrow.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 7, 2014
If Ned Colletti has no other moves in mind to assist the rotation, Hernandez will be heavily relied upon on the back-end to carry the Dodgers through a grueling 7 game road stint. The dodgers begin with the Milwaukee Brewers and ends with the Atlanta Braves, after a full 5 days dealing with the Los Angeles Angels. Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu have performed to the best of their abilities and need assistance to carry the Dodgers in the dog days of summer.
With the injuries piling up, the Dodgers may need one (or two) more arms to carry them into October. The optimistic view is that Josh Beckett’s injury will keep him out no longer than a month. However, the Dodgers need backup plans in a neck and neck race with the San Francisco Giants down the stretch. And, definitely need as many arms on deck to win the National League.