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Dodgers’ Beckett goes on 15-day DL with hip injury

By WTOP Staff

DETROIT (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have put pitcher Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip impingement.

The right-hander pitched five scoreless innings in a win at Colorado on Sunday, but was removed after just 82 pitches. Beckett began the season on the DL with a right thumb contusion, but has made each of his 17 starts since then, going 6-5 with a 2.26 ERA. He was left off the National League roster for the All-Star game.

Manager Don Mattingly said a baserunning mishap Sunday may have led to Beckett’s latest problem.

“We were hoping to get him to the (All-Star) break to get him a little extra time,” Mattingly said. “I think that little run between short and third the other day — it looked like he stopped and started, and then the slide looked a little funny. I can’t tell you exactly what sent him over the edge, but obviously that was a little bit tricky.”

The team on Tuesday recalled right-handed reliever Pedro Baez from Triple-A Albuquerque. It wasn’t immediately clear who will start in Beckett’s place Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

Mattingly said he wasn’t sure how quickly Beckett would be back after his DL stint.

“I don’t really think we know,” he said. “I don’t know if he’ll need a few extra days past the DL time.”

Baez was previously recalled for a game on May 5 at Washington, and allowed two runs and two hits in one inning of relief in his major league debut. The converted infielder opened the year at Double-A Chattanooga and went 2-1 with six saves and a 2.79 ERA in 17 games to earn a May 25 promotion to Albuquerque.

The 26-year-old pitcher last worked on Saturday, allowing three runs and two hits in one inning against Las Vegas. Baez has a 4.50 ERA in 17 appearances with the Isotopes.

“He’s the guy that’s been throwing the best,” Mattingly said. “That’s the guy they felt like has been throwing the ball good. That’s what we always try to do. Whoever’s throwing the best is the guy that comes.”

Beckett was limited to only eight starts last year. He had a rib removed last July in a surgery to alleviate a nerve condition that was affecting his right arm.

Neck problems and numbness in his right hand had troubled Beckett for the past few years. It got to the point where he learned how to drive with only his left hand.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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