Dodgers News: Jose Dominguez Optioned To Make Room For Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett will be making his first regular season start in close to a year on Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been long awaiting the return of the 33-year-old right-hander, and the team was forced to make a roster move.

According to J.P. Hoornstra of the O.C. Register, reliever Jose Dominguez will be optioned to triple-A in order to activate Beckett:

Jose Dominguez said he will be optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. That would be the corresponding move for Beckett coming off the 15-day DL.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) April 9, 2014

Dominguez was recalled on April 2 after setup man Brian Wilson was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The 23-year-old reliever has made two appearances since rejoining the team and did not perform all too impressively. In Dominguez’ first outing against the Giants, he logged two hitless innings, which he followed the next day by giving up a home run to Buster Posey immediately after Paul Maholm was taken out after giving up a three-run bomb to Pablo Sandoval. Dominguez is a young reliever with plenty of potential, but he was expected to be optioned as soon as the next injured pitcher became healthy.

Beckett finally seems to be up to speed after dealing with a season-ending surgery, a bruised thumb and an injured ankle all within the past year. The right-hander looked good in Spring Training, and with the numbness he used to feel in his hand now gone, the Dodgers are hopeful that Beckett will be an asset to the rotation in wake of Clayton Kershaw’s absence.

This now begs the question as to who the Dodgers will option next when Chad Billingsley, Kershaw and Brian Wilson return from their stints on the disabled list. Relievers Brandon League and Chris Withrow may be the odd men out once that time comes, but that could change.
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