Beckett has enjoyed a solid 15-8 season, with a 3.38 ERA. He's posted a career high for wins, starts (29) and innings pitched (178 2/3).

Considering that the Marlins are on the verge of being eliminated from National League Wild Card contention, he sees no reason to push his tender shoulder just to reach the 16-win mark.

Beckett is tentatively scheduled to start on Wednesday but has no plans to do so.

"I haven't felt good for a while," said Beckett. "I was pitching for a purpose. I think I did my job when I was hurt trying to get us in. We came up a little short."

Assuming Beckett doesn't start, manager Jack McKeon said that Brian Moehler is likely to get the call.

Should the Astros and Phillies keep losing and the Marlins start winning, Beckett would take the ball either Friday or Saturday. As of Tuesday the club was planning on giving Josh Johnson his first big-league start on Friday against the Braves. Rookie Jason Vargas is set to go on Saturday.

Had the Marlins been playing for playoff contention, Beckett said, he would pitch.

"No doubt about it," he said. "We can make a decision this weekend, if Houston loses out. We can make a decision Friday or Saturday, it could be a possibility. I'm going to stay prepared to do whatever. As of right now, [it's] probably not tomorrow."

The discomfort Beckett feels is in the back of the shoulder.

"I've had several doctors look at me, and they say, 'You've got tendinitis. Wear and tear on your shoulder. Your shoulder is not meant to [throw] 100 times every five days,' " he said. "My body feels fine. It doesn't go away. Usually, if you look back, my sixth and seventh innings have been my best innings. That's when I've been loose.

"It takes me 20 pitches between innings to get loose. That's where you can do the most damage. I just don't feel the need to push it."

Beckett is confident that about a month of rest in the offseason is all he will need to be ready, and healthy, for Spring Training 2006.

Miguel Cabrera  /   RF
		Born: 04/18/83 Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Cabrera back: All-Star Miguel Cabrera was back in the lineup on Tuesday after being benched on Monday for disciplinary reasons.

Cabrera admitted that he overslept on Sunday, which caused him to arrive late for the afternoon game against the Braves at Turner Field. He got to the stadium about 30 minutes before game time, and he was in the starting lineup.

But on Monday the organization decided that a one-day benching was in order.

"You have rules, and you expect each player to do what he's expected to do," said McKeon. "When they don't, you do something about it. When you do, you're a bad guy."

McKeon equates the benching as a young player paying the price for making a mistake, but he also doesn't foresee any lingering effects of the 22-year-old's tardiness.

"It happens sometimes," said Cabrera of showing up late. "I feel bad. It's not going to happen again. When you're late, you see what happens."

Alfonseca disappointed: Veteran reliever Antonio Alfonseca has gone through a rough stretch of late, giving up three runs in the eighth inning on Monday to the Nationals. Last Friday, in a 4-3 loss to the Braves, he allowed the only two batters he faced to reach base. They both scored.

Bothered by elbow trouble throughout this season, Alfonseca said that he felt "100 percent" on Monday. But in Atlanta, he noted, "My body didn't feel good."

It's been a frustrating season for Alfonseca, who was on the disabled list from April 21 to July 26 because of a stress fracture in his right elbow.

His contract has an option for him to return next year based on reaching performance incentives, but he is not going to make them, meaning that he will be a free agent.

Alfonseca wants to remain with the Marlins.

"I want to stay here," said the right-hander. "My house is here."

Burnett issues a statement: A.J. Burnett, asked to leave the team on Monday, issued a statement through his agent, Darek Braunecker, on Tuesday.

"I first want to thank everyone that has supported me during my time as a Florida Marlin; the fans, my teammates, the media and the staff of the Marlins organization, particularly Mr. [Jeffrey] Loria. Although the 2005 season has been a disappointment to myself and our entire organization, it's my belief that every player on this club was totally and completely committed to bringing a World Championship back to South Florida.

"I was informed yesterday that the club has decided to use this final week to take an opportunity to evaluate younger players that may comprise next year's club. With this, I wish those players and all others that don a Marlins uniform nothing but future success. I have always been a very passionate player and person. I often wear my emotions on my sleeve; sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. I hope that my teammates always respect that of me, as I trust they know my commitment to winning. For those I've offended, I offer my most sincere apologies.

"I'll always be appreciative to this organization for providing me the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. I look forward to watching all my current and former teammates evolve in their Major League careers. I also look forward to the next chapter in my career in anticipation of future success and an opportunity to continue my development as a player and a person."

Coming up: In the series finale with the Nationals, the Marlins have scheduled Beckett to start, but Moehler (6-11, 4.24 ERA) will likely be on the hill. Washington has opted for Esteban Loaiza (11-10, 3.63 ERA) instead of Livan Hernandez, who is slated for Friday against the Phillies.