Despite having six starting pitchers and several other key contributors on the disabled list, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain in the thick of a pennant race. Working in their favor is multiple players are expected to return in September.
Scott Kazmir, who was placed on the disabled list with neck inflammation, had hit a recent tough stretch. In a forgettable outing against the Cincinnati Reds, the Texas native allowed four runs six hits, and walked three in just 2.2 innings pitched.
The 32-year-old met with team doctors following the outing, and it was then determined a stint on the DL was necessary.
While Kazmir had battled through the neck/upper back trouble for much of the season and previously in his career, his mechanics were comprised, and results reflected that.
Alongside Brett Anderson, Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy, Kazmir faced hitters from High-A Rancho Cucamonga in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium this week.
Kazmir came away from the action with a cautiously optimistic outlook, via Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
“I don’t want to speak too far ahead throughout the process, (but) I feel good, feel great. All my offspeed’s working, but I feel that wasn’t necessarily the problem. It was more fastball command. So that’s where you need that front side to be nice and strong and get through the ball, and towards the end it was getting better.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week that Kazmir is recovering ahead of Anderson and McCarthy. Kazmir is eligible to be reinstated on Sept. 7.
He’s 10-6 on the season with a 4.59 ERA, 4.49 FIP and 1.35 WHIP. One area the Dodgers are hopeful Kazmir will improve in is providing length. He went at least six innings in only four of his last 10 starts.
