Scott Kazmir made a third rehab start for High-A Rancho Cucamonga and endured his roughest outing yet as he continues to work toward joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kazmir went three innings against the Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim affiliate) and allowed four runs on five hits.
He faced a lineup that included Mike Trout, who led off the bottom of the first with a double. Kazmir threw a wild pitch and surrendered a pair of RBI doubles before he could get out of the inning.
Jake Yacinich homered off Kazmir in the bottom of the second, and Trout later scored on a Troy Montgomery double. Kazmir managed to end his outing on a positive note, retiring the side in order in the third.
Over his three starts with the Quakes, he’s allowed a combined six runs on 10 hits, including two home runs, hit a batter and issued four walks over nine innings. Each outing has been three innings.
The Dodgers have not outlined much of plan for the southpaw. Prior to beginning the rehab assignment, Kazmir was in Arizona working to improve arm speed and velocity.
He began the season on the 10-day disabled list because of lower back/hip trouble that negatively affected Kazmir’s command and mechanics. He recently said the rehab process is akin to completing a second Spring Training.
