Dodgers News: Scott Kazmir Gets The Wednesday Start
The competition for the No. 5 rotation slot will begin Wednesday.
Veteran Scott Kazmir will start against the Giants, while Hyun-Jin Ryu will throw a sim game, according to Dave Roberts.
Sounds like Scott Kazmir will go on Wednesday night and Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch on the back fields that afternoon. Should be wild.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) February 27, 2017
Dave Roberts said Scott Kazmir will likely start for #Dodgers Wednesday vs #Giants with Hyun-Jin Ryu in sim game instead
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 27, 2017
Both Kazmir and Ryu are battling back from injuries. Kazmir was a disappointment in his first season in Los Angeles when he was on the mound. Ryu performed well when healthy, but it’s been two seasons since he’s been relevant.
[graphiq id=”2JGGNLhssWp” title=”Scott Kazmir 2016 Complete Pitching Splits” width=”600″ height=”880″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/2JGGNLhssWp” ]
Brandon McCarthy is also working his way back. Roberts said his Cactus League debut is nearing after throwing two simulated innings Monday.
“He looks good, he really does,” Roberts said. “He’s executing pitches, command of everything. The feel, everything was good. (His) second inning was better than the first inning. It was definitely a win for us.”
Ultimately, each of the trio will have a chance to start unless one takes a stranglehold on the position. It’s in the Dodgers’ and players’ best interests to give them a moderate workload and let them rebound slowly.
Kazmir, Ryu and McCarthy have been throwing and all are expected to pitch in game action soon. Kazmir, you’re first up.
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If Kazmir can be up to speed by late April, it will be a boon to The Dodgers. Ryu and McCarthy could be of immense help in middle innings if necessary. I don’t know if Roberts would want to use them that way but I believe it would be better than trying to hand them the ball every fifth start, or platooning them. Hopefully they can do well by mid May… Barring injuries.. that is a ticket to The World Series..