If Dodger fans were to rate Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti’s off-season acquisitions this past winter, it would be difficult not to put Dan Haren at the top of their list. It’s probably safe to say that no one expected the 33-year-old Southern California native to come out of the gate with a 4-0 record, especially as a number four starter.

Although disappointing, when Haren suffered his first loss of the season on Wednesday afternoon opposite Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, it is only fair to acknowledge Haren’s great 4-0 run in his first six starts. But anyone who watched Haren’s rain-delayed matinee performance on Wednesday couldn’t help but notice that something wasn’t right with the 6′ 5″ 215-pound right hander, especially in the first inning when he allowed two runs on four hits (including two doubles) and a walk.

While Haren is no longer considered a power pitcher he is exceptionally skilled at keeping the ball down in the zone, but on Wednesday afternoon he frequently left the ball up and right over the middle of the plate – a recipe for disaster and something that Nationals’ hitters did not miss.

But of greater concern than the cookies that Haren was serving up was the obvious discomfort he was showing between pitches which was immediately noticed and mentioned by former Dodgers ace-turned-broadcaster Orel Hershiser during the television broadcast.

“To me it looks like something is bothering him,” said the former Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP.

Dan Haren has been absolutely brilliant as the Dodgers number four starter thus far this season, but is there cause for concern that he may be injured? (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Even though Dodgers fans were pleasantly surprised when the Dodgers got to Strasburg for two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, the former number one draft pick immediately settled down and did not allow another run and only three more hits in his 7.1 innings of work. Strasburg gave up only two walks on the day while striking out six. While it wasn’t a typical stellar Strasburg outing, it was good enough for an eventual 3-2 win over the Dodgers.

Immediately following the game SportsNetLA reporter Allana Rizzo caught up with Haren for a brief post-game interview and what the quite right-hander said to her has to be of concern for the Dodgers and Dodger fans. When asked if he was feeling any discomfort on the mound, Haren answered “I feel discomfort 24 hours a day, seven days a week pretty much at this point in my career. Some days are worse than others.”

Okay, it’s understandable that all major leaguers experience a wide variety of aches and pains over the course of a grueling 162-game season but it appeared that Haren’s ‘discomfort’ was coming from his lower back – a condition that might account for him leaving the ball up in the zone. But what Haren described as “general soreness” he also admitted that “maybe a little bit worse than normal, but I’m fine.”

But exactly how “fine” is Dan Haren?

After going almost 10 full seasons without even one trip to the disabled list, things began to change for Haren. While with the Angels in 2012 the then 29-year-old was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career after a horrible start to the season.

“There’s definitely a lot of inflammation [in my back] and it was just causing the stiffness that I’ve got to try to knock out,” Haren told ESPNLA’s Mark Saxon during a July 5, 2012 interview. “It’s not really even a pain-management thing as much as it is just getting back to physically throwing the way that I’ve thrown for however many years in the big leagues. So rather than keep going out there at about 70 percent or so, I thought it was good timing for me to take a step back and try to get back to 100 percent for the stretch run.”

Although this was the first time in his career that Haren admitted that he had health issues, particularly with his lower back, it wouldn’t be his last. While with the Nationals in 2013 Haren again went on the DL – this time for what was reported by the team to be “a stiff shoulder” but was believed by most to be related to his earlier lower back issues.

“There’s aches and pains,” Haren told reporters on June 22,2013. “Nothing I haven’t pitched through in the past. Physically, I’m OK.”

There seems to be a pattern developing here – one that the Dodgers need to be concerned with.

Haren’s next scheduled start is Monday, May 12 against the Marlins at Dodger Stadium and there is no indication whatsoever that he will miss his start. But based on Haren’s recent history and with what he is saying, the Dodgers better keep a very close eye on him. The Dodgers front office also better keep a close eye on Red Patterson, Stephen Fife, Matt Magill and perhaps even Zach Lee down on the farm, should there be more to Haren’s “general soreness” or “aches and pains” than he is letting on.