Dodgers are parting ways with Joe Beimel

Unless the Dodgers change their minds, Joe Beimel will be pitching for a new team next season.

Beimel’s agent, Joe Sroba, said the Dodgers haven’t contacted him to express interest in re-signing the durable left-handed reliever, who is a free agent for the first time.

“My perception is that they want to go in a different direction,” Sroba said.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti later confirmed that Sroba's perception was correct.

Beimel pitched in 216 games over his three seasons with the Dodgers and posted a 3.04 earned-run average. Left-handers hit only .188 against him in 2007, but .278 this year.

Beimel missed the 2006 National League Division Series against the New York Mets because he cut his pitching hand as he tried to prevent a glass of beer from crashing to the floor of a Manhattan bar. He was granted a second chance to pitch in this year's postseason for the Dodgers, making three appearances against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship Series.

Though Sroba didn’t provide specifics, he said that his client has drawn a fair amount of interest from other clubs. Detroit, St. Louis, San Francisco and Colorado are among those interested, according to various reports.

“Joe’s going to be fine next year,” Sroba said. “He’s had a couple of good years.”

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Dodgers pitcher Joe Beimel warms up during a workout at Dodger Stadium in October. Credit: Karen Tapia / Los Angeles Times