GLENDALE, Ariz. — Josh Beckett’s comeback from surgery got off to a promising start Sunday with three strikeouts over two scoreless innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers and a San Diego Padres split squad played to a 3-3 tie.
Beckett allowed one hit in his first spring training appearance since having a rib and muscle tissue removed last July in a procedure to alleviate a nerve problem. He is competing to reclaim a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Part of his fight is physical. Much of it is mental.
“Physically, I feel good right now,” the former Boston Red Sox right-hander said. “Right now, the biggest thing is to get over the mental things.”
Beckett said he has been nervous throughout spring training. He said he had a hard time sleeping before his first exhibition start.
“There’s a part of this that I can’t get out my head: When is this thing going to re-occur?” said Beckett, who said he believes he’ll get beyond the question and gain confidence with each appearance this spring.
