Florida placed RHP Josh Beckett on the disabled list for the third time in a month on July 6th. In his first start following his initial trip to the DL, Beckett injured his back. The Marlins hesitated to send him to the disabled list again, so the club pushed back his next start, but when he was not ready the night before his scheduled turn, Florida returned him to the DL on June 25th.

His recovery from the back injury progressed quickly, and Beckett rejoined the team on July 5th. However, he had to leave that evening's start against the Pirates after only four innings when he tore the skin on the middle finger of his right hand. Evidently no blister preceded the skin tear, though the finger is the same digit that has been bothered by blisters in the past. The following day the 24-year-old returned to the disabled list, where he will seek new ways to heal his wound and fortify the skin on his finger against the irritation caused by pitching. A burn specialist reportedly has recommended two new creams, but at this point, Beckett simply must wait until the skin heals before he can begin pitching again. Florida knows he needs time to recover and plans to wait as long as necessary, hoping that once this heals Beckett will be healthy for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately, the preventative measures put in place last year seem to have broken down, so blisters could continue to interrupt Beckett's season.

The Marlins called up C-R Josh Willingham to fill Beckett's roster spot last week. At the time of his promotion, Willingham was hitting .282 with a .428 OBP and .581 SLG on 66 H, 19 2B, and 17 HR with a 53:62 BB:K and 4/6 SB% in 234 AB at AA Carolina in the Southern League.