A frustrating end to the 2016 season has carried into this year for Scott Kazmir as he’s once again been saddled by hip tightness. The southpaw was eased into action during Spring Training, but never quite got going.
Kazmir labored at times in his spring debut, which he attributed to growing lazy with his mechanics as the outing wore on. The southpaw was then removed after just one inning in a following start because of hip trouble.
An MRI came back negative, though the Dodgers held Kazmir out of Cactus League action for 20 days. He spent that time throwing bullpen sessions, live batting practice and pitching in Minor League games.
The focus was on improving mechanics and unlocking the troublesome hip that prevented Kazmir from generating enough push to throw with better velocity. Those efforts largely proved futile.
The 33-year-old remained in extended Spring Training when the Dodgers broke camp. While Kazmir has continued to throw, he recently suffered a setback of sorts, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Whatever limited progress left-hander Scott Kazmir might have been making in his attempt to pitch for the Dodgers this season seems to have been lost after he experienced renewed tightness in his left hip while pitching in an extended spring training game Thursday. Roberts said Kazmir had to be lifted from the game.
Kazmir is expected to throw a bullpen session in front of Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt at Chase Field on Saturday.
In three Cactus League starts, Kazmir allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, including one home run. He walked seven batters, hit two and had three strikeouts over 5.2 innings pitched.
Following Kazmir’s subpar performance in his return to a Major League, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged he was not pitching to a level that warranted a spot in the team’s Opening Day rotation. One week ago, Roberts said Kazmir was encouraged following a throwing session at Camelback Ranch, but the likelihood or date of a potential return remained unknown.
