Beckett could start twice before break

 

By Greg A. Bedard, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, July 1, 2004

 

ATLANTA -- A week ago Marlins manager Jack McKeon said there was no hurry to get pitcher Josh Beckett back into the rotation before the All-Star break.

 

Obviously, McKeon has changed his mind.

 

After a successful bullpen session Tuesday, Beckett not only will be back before the All-Star Game, but the Marlins may shuffle the rotation to get him two starts before the July 13 game in Houston .

 

"It's been very encouraging," McKeon said. "He can pitch any day from Saturday, he can get two starts. But we haven't decided which way we're going to go yet."

 

Beckett, recovering from a lower back strain, is eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday. Pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said Beckett will throw another bullpen either Friday or Saturday, depending on when the team sets his return. A Friday bullpen likely would indicate a Sunday start against Tampa Bay at Pro Player Stadium.

 

Michael Tejera, who took Beckett's spot in the rotation, likely would go to the bullpen to join fellow left-handers Matt Perisho and Darren Oliver.

 

"He's going to go to the bullpen unless somebody does something," McKeon said. "I like the kid. He looks like he's polished up his control."

 

Right-hander Ben Howard (0-1, 7.30 ERA) likely would be the odd man out.

 

Willis' struggles: After he failed Tuesday to pitch into the sixth inning for his third straight start and the fourth time in five starts, the guessing game continues for Dontrelle Willis and the Marlins.

 

"There's not a big difference between when I throw well and when I don't, except the walks," said Willis, who gave up four runs on nine hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings. "I feel really good and really positive. I just want to go deep into the game."

 

Since starting the season 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, Willis is 3-5 with a 5.38 ERA. Rosenthal thinks much of Willis' struggles has to do with his high leg kick, which can be tough to repeat.

 

"One day he comes with one delivery and the next he has another and if somebody gets on base it's another," Rosenthal said. "You can't repeat the arm slot and you can't repeat the pitches like he did before. It's something he's going to have to live with because of his delivery."

 

Rosenthal also thinks Willis' struggles could be mental.

 

"The thing with Dontrelle, in my opinion, is he had a great year last year, and there are a lot of expectations on him to repeat it," he said. "I don't know if it's taking a toll on him. He'll say no, but you're up here and everybody expects a lot out of you. I just think he needs to sit back and relax and have fun."

 

Link to Article

 

Good to see Beckett is progressing well. We need him back in the rotation ASAP.

i bet you its oliver and not howard that gets replaced by tejera

i bet you its oliver and not howard that gets replaced by tejera

434654[/snapback]

 

I read in the Herald that Tejera will likely go to the bullpen. My guess is Perisho is gone.

 

I also heard Beckett will make one start, either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Something like that.

Get rid of Oliver

Unless we can get anyone decent in a trade, I'm not gonna hop on the latest DO sucks bandwagon. In 2 out of his relief outings he got roughed up..that's not terrible. That's better than our other guys. He hadn't exactly been tearing it up against Atlanta earlier this year. I wanna see him from the pen again before we decide to cut him.

Unless we can get anyone decent in a trade, I'm not gonna hop on the latest DO sucks bandwagon. In 2 out of his relief outings he got roughed up..that's not terrible. That's better than our other guys. He hadn't exactly been tearing it up against Atlanta earlier this year. I wanna see him from the pen again before we decide to cut him.

434685[/snapback]

 

 

I've seen enough of Oliver to know he can only be used when we have a comfortable lead. He throws 85-88 fast balls that any major leaguer can tee off on. How many 1-2-3 innings does he ever have?

 

Every inning there is a threat by the other team. No way Oliver could be used in the 7th or 8th innings of tight games. Putting him in for long relief situations is pretty much conceding the game, like last night.

 

It is time for Oliver to quit taking up a roster spot.