Scott Kazmir’s recurring trouble with hip tightness struck again on Monday when he was removed after throwing one pitch in the bottom of the second inning of his second Cactus League start this year. Prior to that point, Kazmir retired the side in order in the first.
Much like last season, Kazmir felt the tightness while warming up for the start. He hoped it would subside as the game wore on. Kazmir was sent for an MRI on Tuesday, which came back negative, and essentially supported his claim of already feeling improvement in the hip.
The 33-year-old proceeded to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday without any trouble, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kazmir will not yet rejoin the starting rotation, according to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register:
Dave Roberts said Scott Kazmir's bullpen session went fine. Couple days off, pitch in back fields game, no Cactus game for at least a week
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 8, 2017
Prior to Kazmir’s bullpen session the Dodgers had already set a tentative rotation for their upcoming stretch of games. Brandon McCarthy is starting Friday, with Julio Urias pitching in relief, and Hyun-Jin Ryu is scheduled to make his 2017 Spring Training debut on Saturday.
Clayton Kershaw (afternoon) and Alex Wood (evening) will start for the Dodgers in Sunday’s day-night doubleheader.
As for Kazmir, he admitted to feeling frustrated by the hip soreness considering he spent the offseason focused on workouts that aimed to improve his mobility and alleviate the hip trouble. Then in camp, the left-hander worked to refine his mechanics and delivery, which was compromised last season by his multiple injuries.
Kazmir’s hip trouble led to back and neck issues that required a stint disabled list and ultimately left him unable to pitch to positive results.
