As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Scott Kazmir on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to March 30, when the team announced their 2017 Opening Day roster. Kazmir is eligible to be reinstated Monday, April 10.
After making his spring debut on March 1, the veteran left-hander was dogged in his two ensuing starts by the same hip trouble he battled last season. Kazmir managed to complete just one inning March 6, getting removed after throwing one pitch in the second frame.
He was sent for an MRI on the hip, which came back negative. The Dodgers nonetheless decided to hold Kazmir out of Cactus League action. He worked on mechanics and improving velocity while throwing bullpen sessions and pitching in Minor League games.
Kazmir returned to the Dodgers on March 26, only to allow three runs on three hits, including one home run, in three innings. He also hit two batters and walked five. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at that point said it no longer made sense for Kazmir to remain in the rotation at his current state.
The 33-year-old finished the spring 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA and 2.12 WHIP in three starts. Since Kazmir first began to suffer from trouble last season, him and the Dodgers have not managed to find a solution.
Kazmir spent the offseason focused on exercises that aimed to strengthen and improve agility in the troublesome hip. While he was only placed on the 10-day DL, it’s doubtful Kazmir is reinstated once eligible.
With the left-hander no longer in the picture, the Dodgers rounded out their rotation by naming Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu the fourth and fifth starters, respectively.
