Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Scott Kazmir Exits Start With Injury

Monday was not the start Scott Kazmir was looking for.

In his second start of the spring, Kazmir exited early in the second inning with hip tightness. He immediately had an MRI, though the seriousness is unknown. Kazmir was plagued by hip soreness last season.



Kazmir didn’t ask to leave the game, per Alanna Rizzo. But hip problems were the source of his previous injury bug, and the team will be cautious.

He said he couldn’t maintain any power or direction. The injury admittedly surprised him, and in a post-game interview he disclosed his frustration.

“It’s something we’ve been working on all spring,” Kazmir said.“To try to get that flexibility, to keep that flexibility. It’s just something where, you know, you kind of scratch your head. We’ve been on it constantly. To be able to throw something like a 30-pitch bullpen, and the next day it’s tight, really restricted; it’s just something we try to stay on top of. It just tightened up on me today.”

A minor injury is one thing, but the hip soreness is a recurring theme with Kazmir. He’s been nicked up throughout his roller coaster career. He, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu are competing for rotation spots, but all are haunted by their struggles to stay on the mound.

Kazmir earned a free agent deal with Los Angeles after a resurrection with the Oakland A’s. He’s since disappointed, pitching to a 4.56 ERA in his inaugural season with the Dodgers.

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Kazmir said he hopes to make his next scheduled start in five days. He’s currently slotted to fill one of the backend rotation spots if healthy.

Hyun-Jin Ryu returns Friday

Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

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