Josh Beckett injury: Dodgers RHP shut down 4 weeks with nerve irritation

Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett will be shut down from throwing for four weeks because of nerve irritation in his right arm and hand, the team announced on Tuesday. Beckett, who saw a nerve specialist in Dallas who confirmed the initial diagnosis, is expected to return to the team on Tuesday.

Manager Don Mattingly said earlier Tuesday that Beckett's condition wouldn't require surgery, that rehab would be the route taken by the right-hander. Beckett will continue that rehab on Tuesday.

But with four weeks without throwing, it could be at least two months before he could realistically return to actually pitch for the Dodgers.

"I doesn't feel like it's right around the corner that he'll be ready to go," Mattingly said.

Beckett is 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA in eight starts this season, and was placed on the disabled list on May 15 with a left groin strain. The groin strain has since healed but what Beckett called the "other stuff" could end up costing him nearly half a season in total. Beckett last pitched for the Dodgers on May 13.

Beckett, who is making $15.75 million in 2013, has one more season left on his contract, at $15.75 million.