Scott Kazmir reported to Spring Training looking to put last year’s injury trouble behind him. Hip, back and neck trouble compromised Kazmir’s mechanics, rendering him ineffective and unable to provide any sort of length in a start.
Kazmir was shut down for the final few weeks of the regular season and playoffs, after back and rib spasms limited him just one inning in his first start back from the disabled list. The 33-year-old spent the offseason completing workouts that aimed to provide greater stability and flexibility in his hip.
The efforts proved futile. Kazmir battled the same command issues in his first Cactus League start, then was removed from a second outing because of tightness in his left hip. He was one of six Dodgers to begin the season on the disabled list.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, manager Dave Roberts said Kazmir successfully pitched in a game at Camelback Ranch on Saturday, but a potential return remains unclear:
Roberts said Scott Kazmir, on the disabled list with an unspecified left hip injury, threw 45 pitches over three innings on Saturday at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Arizona in either a simulated or camp game.
“He says he feels good,” said Roberts. “He’ll throw a bullpen in a couple days. He’s progressing. How rapidly, I don’t know. His return, I don’t know.”
Kazmir was sent for an MRI on his troublesome hip the day after being removed in the second inning of his start against the Colorado Rockies. The results came back negative but the Dodgers nonetheless held the southpaw out of Major League games for nearly three weeks.
The layoff to get healthy and work on mechanics didn’t lend to improved results for Kazmir, as he allowed three runs on three hits, including one home run, in three innings of a final spring start. He also hit two batters and issued five walks.
Roberts at that point stated it no longer made sense for Kazmir to remain in contention for a spot in the starting rotation. He finished the spring 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA and 2.12 WHIP in three starts.
