Surprise, Arizona is where the news is breaking, but right now, there are only a few who are surprised by the news. Scott Kazmir is not going to be a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2017 starting rotation.
After a couple of spring training starts that were just that – starts that never finished – and a few bullpen sessions that barely raised a pulse on anyone not in the Scott Kazmir Marching and Chowder Society, Kazmir took the mound today for what was his last shot at pushing his way into the Dodgers’ rotation.
By almost all accounts, it wasn’t good.
On the bright side, Kazmir actually went three innings, which was his longest outing this spring. That’s it for the positives. Every other number tells a sad story. He surrendered three runs, gave up a home run, walked five, hit two batters, and had a wild pitch charged to him as a cherry on top.
After witnessing that mess, here’s what his manager had to say:
“Obviously where he’s at right now it just doesn’t make sense…for him to be out there on a major-league field.” – Dave Roberts
The skipper was being diplomatic, but just to put things into perspective – if asked, Roberts would say the exact same thing about me.
The Dodgers aren’t likely to give Kazmir his walking papers, since those would be made up of $40 million worth of owed money on his contract. Oh no, Kazmir isn’t going anywhere but to the disabled list and the clubhouse hot tub.
Scoot over, Andre Ethier. You’ve got company.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
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You got in a couple of gems there Oscar!
The Kazmir Marching and Chowder Society and the quip on Robert’s quote put a smile on my face. Sorely needed to as I am on a business trip to NYC and my plane had to circle for a couple of hours due to air traffic/ground control issues. Finally checked into my hotel at midnight. Ugh.
YF
I’m sorry to hear that.
I am just glad that you landed safely.
This is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into FAZZY! Bravo, a writer who tells it like it is and a manager not afraid to hurt somebody’s feelings….oh you poor baby, we only owe you 32 million somolions. I wish Kaz the best…..in somebody else’s uni……preferably Korea or somewhere like that.
The Angels are probably wondering why, we didn’t learn from there experience with Kazmir!
But then again, they signed Blanton as a starter, after we let him go.
Maybe Kazmir can earn his money throwing batting practice, the day the Dodgers face the Padres, and Jered Weaver.
Kazmir’s fastball, average speed, was 84, but I do think Weaver throws a little harder, at 87.
Remember Roberts said the opening day roster is over blown, as it can change from day to day. Eventually Kazmir will take the mound, for good or bad.
Best news I have heard all week, Kazmir to the DL, and don’t look for him to be back until they fix what is wrong with his hip, and that ain’t happening overnight
Rosenthal weighs in on both Ryu and the Dodgers depth:
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/yankees-red-sox-al-east-lucroy-lindor-odor-rosenthal-notes-032717
On Ryu:
*A scout says of Dodgers lefty Hyun-jin Ryu, who has pitched only 4 2/3 innings due to injuries the past two seasons: “It’s like he hasn’t skipped a beat.”
On the team depth:
Ryu’s resurgence is an example of the Dodgers’ extraordinary depth. As one rival executive puts it, “Their second wave is better than the first wave of a lot of teams.”
Bluto
Thanks!
Did you see Ryu pitch today?
I know he gave up two HRs, but I couldn’t see the game.
How did he look today?
I haven’t seen a single game this spring training.
Not one.
Bluto
Where do you live?
I haven’t seen that many games, and I have Charter, and the Dodger Channel.
They have had mainly only weekend games on TV.
Live in Los Angeles!
Work in Beverly Hills (adjacent) area.
Hey Bluto, is Beverly Glen and Beverly Hills Doctors Hospitals still there?
Game was not televised, but I am going to watch the stream of it later…..5 innings, 3 runs, not bad..still a HUGE improvement over Kazaster.
Michael
Thanks!
MJ. I watched the game replay. Ryu looked really good. The 2 homers were hit on a hanging curve and a fastball he left up in the zone, but other than that he looked really good. Puig had a hit going to RF, and made 2 outstanding plays in RF. He did get forced out at 2nd on a play they if he had been running hard he would have made it. I saw Dave Roberts talking to him in the dugout after that play. All in all the pitchers did a decent job. But the offense was stifled by Holland. After the game, Roberts said Ryu is going to be in the starting rotation. That means Wood and McCarthy fighting for the last spot. Kazmir, Baez and Ravin will start the year on the DL….and of course FAZ continued his inane signing of retreads when they signed Justin Masterson a 32 year old starter who last pitched for Cleveland to a minor league deal……..Masterson’s last appearance in the bigs was in 2015.
Yes, Justin Masterson was terrible the last few years he was in the bigs. How in the hell a team that supposedly has ‘RH pitching depth’ AND therefore can trade 5 of them in the past 10 months and then pick this guy up off the junk pile is asinine.
Bluto
Have you just missed games, because you are at work?
Or is it because you don’t have Charter?
Neither. Just don’t have the time for them.
Why is this interesting?
Michael
Thanks for the report.
I had heard that Puig should have had two hits, but I guess someone made a good play, on his other almost hit.
If Ryu can hold up, that really helps this rotation.
I saw that Forsyth had two hits, and we are going to need his bat, against lefties, so I hope he keeps it up.
Yep, heard the depth thing before.
Second wave? We aren’t sure yet who’s riding the first wave. And nobody knows if Ryu is back yet. He has looked good, and I hope he can keep it going, but, it’s still Spring.
Spring has sprung, they have 2 games left here then 3 in LA and then bring on the Padres………
Ha!
I thought about this too.
I figure the 2nd wave is the 2nd string maybe?
If so:
1B Bellinger
2B Utley
SS Taylor
3B Segedin
OF: Thompson, SVS, Verdugo?
Starting Rotation:
Wood/Ryu
Stripling
Brock Stewart
Oaks
?
With all due respect to a few of these players but this second unit is not better than any of the weaker MLB teams. Sorry that the truth hurts but one can live in fantasy land.
I’m guessing that after every pitch the pitcher can chase down the ball.
I’d agree, my interpretation of that quote seems totally wrong.
Not sure what that quote was meant to imply.
Bluto
I just wondered why because you are a big baseball guy.
I thought maybe you were afraid to get Charter.
The good thing with Charter is that they don’t have any contracts, so you can have it as long as you want.
Got my 2016 Media Guide today. Vin is on the cover appropriately. For those of you who love the Dodgers, these are the best and most informative books on the team I have ever owned. When I lived in LA I would buy one of these before I bought a yearbook. They usually come out the end of March. You have to look for them. I buy mine on EBAY> . 2017 is not available yet. I also buy Who’s Who in Baseball every year. It list’s every players lifetime stats. Good reference book. It also has all their transactions, who they were traded to and for.
I just read something really interesting…..did any of you know that SVS is tied for the team lead this spring in STOLEN BASES???? wow….way to go Scotty
It was just announced that Ryu will be in pitching rotation, and McCarthy, and Wood, will be on the team!
Sounds like Ryu is back.
How is Seager doing? When was the last time he played? How much? DL on OD ??
TBLA insinuated a decision on Seager after a few more games. What about Agone? So far we know Ethier and Kazmir on the DL. Urias more ST, Stewart and Stripling probably back to AAA I assume.
As it stands:
Kid K
Maeda
HIll
Ryu
Mac/Wood
Seager is staying back to get at bats. He will rejoin the team in LA, but not play in the freeway series. He is expected to be in the lineup opening day
I think Seager will start on opening day
It would be helpful if he could get some live swings in before that.
Badger
Corey has been playing in minor league games, so he is getting live swings.
Well, that’s good to hear, but by live swings I mean cuts against some Major League starters tuning up for the regular season.
Badger
I don’t understand why he is playing in minor league games either.
Unless they don’t want Corey to try to do to much, to soon.
He missed most of spring training last year, so I assume they know how to get Corey ready.
But I would want to see what he would do in a major league game, before the freeway series.
Because the players will probably be even more motivated to play hard, in the freeway series.
He is staying back and they are using him in minor league games so he conceivably could hit 9 times in one game. He will be in the opening day lineup most likely…they said it was more about timing than anything else…..Roberts also announced that Ryu made the starting 5 and that both Wood and McCarthy will be on the team, with the loser becoming the long man. Means Stripling will be going to AAA.
It’s my opinion if he isn’t hitting Major League pitching he’s a tick behind. But, he’s seen it before. If he’s ok physically he will catch up fast.