Posted July 6, 200421 yr Skin tear returns Beckett to DL Right-hander has battled blister problems before By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com Josh Beckett hopes to make his next start after the All Star break. (Scott Rovak/Cardinals) MIAMI -- Just when his back was recovered, snake-bitten Marlins right-hander Josh Beckett heads back to the disabled list with another finger problem. Beckett's latest bout with bad luck came Monday, in a 3-1 loss to the Pirates at Pro Player Stadium. Beckett suffered a skin tear to his right middle finger and will be placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday. Technically, it's not a blister. But the injury is to the same finger that sustained a blister on May 30. With Beckett out, the Marlins will call up catcher Josh Willingham from Double-A Carolina. Willingham is capable of playing first base and the outfield. This will be Beckett's third trip to the DL this season, and the second time he'll have been disabled on the same day he was activated. "I don't know what I got bit by, but it's bad," said Beckett, who suffered Monday's loss and now stands at 4-5 on the year. "After the All-Star break, I hope I can make my next start. There is no word, at least that I can say on TV or in the paper about how I feel. It's tough. You can't say go out there and pitch, because it just gets worse. I don't know what to say." In his three-year career, Beckett has gone on the DL seven times. In 2002, he was sidelined three times because of a blister problem to the same finger. Last year, he missed about seven weeks with tightness in his right forearm. This year, Beckett was placed on the DL on May 31 because of a blister, and on June 16 he threw 3 2/3 innings before leaving the game with a pulled back muscle against the White Sox. The next day, he went back on the disabled list. "My side felt fine," Beckett said after giving up three runs (two earned) in four innings. "There was no blister [on the finger], it was just a skin tear. The skin just tore off. I never had a blister that bled. This actually bled. This one was actually dripping blood. We addressed it. We put some medicine on it." The Marlins had hoped to get two starts from Beckett before the All-Star Break. He was slated to pitch on Saturday against the Mets. Now, Brad Penny will make that start. "I don't know what the [problem] is," Beckett said. "Wrong vitamins or something." Because of Beckett's latest bout with a finger problem, the Marlins have yet to line up the starting rotation they had hoped would be together since May. "Who knows how long this will take?" manager Jack McKeon said of Beckett's latest ailment. "Ten days or two weeks. With the All-Star break coming up, we needed someone. We're bringing up Willingham, who has played first base, outfield and he is a catcher." The Marlins will now carry 11 pitchers instead of 12. Willingham, who could make his Major League debut on Tuesday, was brought in as insurance because catcher Mike Redmond has been bothered by stiffness in his lower back since last weekend. Redmond is listed as day-to-day. Matt Treanor will likely start Tuesday. The Marlins have lost five of six and now are three-games behind the Phillies in the NL East. Mike Lowell feels the frustration of the team, especially after Beckett's latest finger problems. "We've got to figure out what we did last year," Lowell said, noting Beckett didn't have a blister problem last season. "I can't believe his finger is any different than any other person in the Major Leagues. We have to find a specialist to stop this. We need to find a blister specialist. This is absolutely ridiculous c/o floridamarlins.com
July 6, 200421 yr Welcome to the majors, Willingham... Be sure to be clutch when you get to the stadium...
July 6, 200421 yr now that he's been called up will the marlins play him at C or wait a couple weeks and see how he plays the OF. if this is true that means the FO doesn't want to trade by the time they determine what to do with willingham it might be to late.
July 6, 200421 yr Matt, your moment has arrived. Willy is a Marlin. I just don't know if we can afford to carry three catchers at this time.
July 6, 200421 yr Author now that he's been called up will the marlins play him at C or wait a couple weeks and see how he plays the OF. if this is true that means the FO doesn't want to trade by the time they determine what to do with willingham it might be to late. 442783[/snapback] Well I do know Willingham has seen time in left this year and also in the Arizona Fall League. He's seen time at 1st base also this year, and originally came up as a third baseman, so he could be very valuable.
July 6, 200421 yr they should say f*** it and start willy tomorrow. i beleive some ppl in the FO read this board to bring up willingham so quickly. a pitcher goes down and they call up a catcher? seems odd.
July 6, 200421 yr they should say f*** it and start willy tomorrow. i beleive some ppl in the FO read this board to bring up willingham so quickly. a pitcher goes down and they call up a catcher? seems odd. 442802[/snapback] Red is hurt too. And Willingham can play other positions.
July 6, 200421 yr Ramp is gushing at the thought of Willy wearing Teal at PPS. 442823[/snapback] :hat
July 6, 200421 yr Wow, Go Josh! He played in the game tonight, it could be a long night of packing and traveling. Or an early mornig I suppose.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.