Dodgers put Josh Beckett on disabled list, activate Zack Greinke

By Steve Dilbeck

Los Angeles Dodgers Josh Beckett Zack Greinke Don Mattingly Washington Nationals Ted Lilly

One comes back, one heads out. It’s the early story of the Dodgers’ season.

The Dodgers activated right-hander Zack Greinke as expected Wednesday, but made room for him by placing right-hander Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.

Beckett turned 33 on Wednesday. Party favors all around.

Incredibly, Beckett becomes the sixth Dodgers starting pitcher to land on the disabled list this season -- and it’s the middle of May. It is already their 14th DL move of the season.

Beckett has mostly been ineffective this season (0-5, 5.19 ERA), and lasted only three innings in his last start Monday against the Nationals. The Dodgers revealed for the first time after that game that he was fighting an injury.

On Wednesday, Manager Don Mattingly said Beckett had not shown any marked improvement.

“On the second day when he goes, 'I really don’t feel like I can play catch,' it’s a no-brainer at that point," he said.

Mattingly said Beckett was also battling other injuries, which he refused to discuss again Wednesday.

Beckett is earning $17 million a year this season and next.

His move to the DL means rookie Matt Magill will have to make at least one additional start. Mattingly said Magill will start Sunday in Atlanta. Left-hander Ted Lilly (rib strain) is making a rehab start Wednesday for Rancho Cucamonga and could be back soon.

Greinke returns almost three weeks early after breaking his collarbone in San Diego on April 11. He was originally told it would take eight weeks for him to come back, but a metal plate placed on the collarbone sped his healing process, and he lost little time throwing.