Atlanta Braves Scott Kazmir exits Spring Training game with possible injury
By Jeff Schafer
Braves lefty, Kazmir, exits Saturday’s game with possible injury?
The Atlanta Braves are in search for a fifth starter for their rotation and Scott Kazmir was supposedly in the lead of that race. The door opened up when Luiz Gohara went down with a strained groin and then an ankle injury. Now, Kazmir may be dealing with his own injury.
After not pitching at all in 2017 after he was diagnosed with thoracic spine inflammation, Kazmir was traded from the Dodgers to the Braves this offseason. The 12-year veteran looked to be healthy as we entered this Spring Training, but injuries can pop up at any time.
On Saturday, Kazmir came into the game against the New York Yankees after Braves starter Julio Teheran went five innings. Kazmir pitched the sixth inning, giving up one hit (a double), one walk, but no runs.
When walking off the field, FOX Sports cameras showed Kazmir kind of shrugging his shoulders as he crossed the white lines. I saw it, thought about it for a second and moved on. When they came back from break, the cameras showed him talking with trainers and pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.
Something to monitor: Scott Kazmir left today's game after one inning and was seen speaking with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and trainer George Poulis in the dugout. pic.twitter.com/vc7Vx9W4Fo
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) March 24, 2018
I was wondering about Scott Kazmir after that inning. @FOXSportsBraves showed a between inning visit with training staff.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 24, 2018
Kazmir's velo was down during the one inning he completed today. TV cameras showed him talking to the trainers between innings.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 24, 2018
This opens the doors wide open…and that’s not the best thing. Kazmir was expected to be not only the Braves fifth starter, but a long reliever in the bullpen.
He’s pitched decent this Spring Training, going 10.2 innings pitched, giving up 10 hits, five earned runs, six walks and four strikeouts…he held a 4.22 ERA.
Following the game, Kazmir told the media he had thrown 90-100 pitches in a bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon. He went on to say that he didn’t know he’d be pitching on Saturday. Interesting words there. Who’s this responsibility fall on? Brian Snitker should have known this, right?
Kazmir says he threw 90-100 pitches in a bullpen session on Wednesday because he didn't know he'd be pitching again today.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 24, 2018
Placing Kazmir on the DL would prevent the Braves from having to carry him in an unfamiliar relief role. It seems like there's still a chance he could be ready by April 10, which is when Atlanta first needs a fifth starter https://t.co/oJP7DcwjUU
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 24, 2018
I will say this, as of now, we have no idea what this is or how long Kazmir could be out. Hate to speculate anything here, but he could be day-to-day or this could be a complete setback and it could be a career ender. We’ll definitely update everyone when we get more information.
Snitker told the media after the game that Kazmir exited because of “arm fatigue”.
Next: Luiz Gohara progressing well, could return sooner
If Kazmir does need to miss time, this gives Anibal Sanchez a great opportunity to make the opening day roster as well as to be that fifth starter when the Braves need one on April 11.