The morning after suggesting Scott Kazmir was likely to start against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed as much on Tuesday. Kazmir’s first start of the spring will come under the lights at Scottsdale Stadium, with first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. PT.
The Dodgers were deciding between sending Kazmir or Hyun-Jin Ryu to the hill, and the latter is now slated to get work in at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday afternoon. “Most likely it’ll be a live BP,” Roberts said, “so he can see some hitters and we can read some swings.”
Kazmir being the first of the left-handers to advance to Cactus League action is not indicative of Ryu’s physical state. “He’s healthy,” Roberts said.
Kazmir is looking to rebound from a spinal injury that forced him to be shut down. He was twice placed on the disabled list prior to eventually succumbing to the inflammation.
Ryu only managed to make one start after returning from the April 2015 surgery that repaired a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. The 29-year-old was hopeful to contribute down the stretch of last season, but underwent a left-elbow debridement in September.
Elsewhere in the Dodgers rotation, after making his spring debut over the weekend, Clayton Kershaw will take his next turn on normal rest — Thursday against the Cleveland Indians at Camelback Ranch. Rich Hill is expected to face the Kansas City Royals at home, while Brandon McCarthy draws the Arizona Diamondbacks to complete Friday’s split-squad action.
McCarthy’s start will be his first of the spring. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi recently came away encouraged by McCarthy’s performance during a live batting practice session.
