Beckett meets with nerve specialist about numbness

LOS ANGELES -- Injured right-hander Josh Beckett visited a nerve specialist on Monday and was diagnosed with irritation of an upper arm nerve that causes numbness in his right hand and fingers. The veteran starter will not throw for at least four weeks.

Beckett had been experiencing a numbing sensation in the fingers of his pitching hand for much of the season. Last week, Beckett said he continued to pitch because the Dodgers were short on starters earlier in the season after losing Chad Billingsley for the year and being burdened by Zack Greinke's broken left collarbone.

Beckett, on the disabled list with a left groin strain, had his throwing program shut down two weeks ago because the numbness in his fingers continued during a bullpen session. Beckett is 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA in eight starts this season.

Beckett visited Gregory Pearl in Dallas, the same surgeon who operated on Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter's right shoulder last season. Beckett is expected to return to Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.