The Dodgers’ pitching depth is a sight to behold. It’s perhaps the MLB’s best, with seemingly just one open spot for several competitors.
Among those competitors are two veterans, Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir. Both are working their way back from injuries and disappointing performances.
Most of front office watching Brandon McCarthy throwing live BP. Sparse turnout watching Kenley Jansen, but Andrew Friedman is.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 21, 2017
Zaidi said he was very impressed with Brandon McCarthy's session throwing batting practice today.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 21, 2017
Scott Kazmir had a marathon bullpen session today working on mechanics w/pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 21, 2017
Scott Kazmir is having another extended bullpen session with Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne. Kazmir has been ironing out some delivery stuff.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) February 22, 2017
McCarthy joined the Dodgers in 2015, but he’s made just 13 starts in the uniform. He pitched in 10 games last year to a 4.95 ERA in 40 innings. He was masterful with the Yankees the season before signing with L.A., with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts.
Health has been a recurring theme of McCarthy’s career. He’s exceeded 135 innings just twice since 2005.
[graphiq id=”6eUwJsKIEGp” title=”Brandon McCarthy Career ERA, WHIP and K/BB” width=”600″ height=”586″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/6eUwJsKIEGp” ]
Kazmir is in a similar spot. He had a career renaissance in Oakland, was shipped to his native Houston at the deadline, then signed with the Dodgers last offseason. I wrote about Kazmir’s situation last month.
Ryu and Wood in BP. Stewart and Stripling in OKC to start. See if Kaz can build any value.
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) February 20, 2017
While Alex Wood, Ross Stripling, Brock Stewart and the like will also compete for the No. 5 slot in the rotation, the two veterans make sense for a number of reasons. Aside from the always stressed “leadership” aspect, L.A. shopped both in the offseason. The best way to rebuild value is by letting them pitch. There is also the chance one or both could finally be moved before Opening Day.
Either way, after the injuries the Dodgers suffered in 2016, accumulating such rich depth is paramount. McCarthy and Kazmir will likely get another chance soon, be it in Los Angeles or elsewhere.
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