With their starting rotation seemingly hanging on by a thread, the Los Angeles Dodgers are eagerly awaiting the expected return of Clayton Kershaw. The left-handed ace threw a bullpen session over the weekend at Great American Ball Park, and is expected to throw another Tuesday.
While the Dodgers have put several players on the disabled list this season, Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda to this point are the only starting pitchers to have avoided that fate. In light of some of his troubles, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently praised Scott Kazmir for his durability.
The southpaw was on the mound Monday afternoon with the Dodgers looking to get a series split against the Cincinnati Reds and finish with a winning record on their seven-game road trip.
Kazmir was spotted a 4-0 lead in the first inning, allowed one run in the bottom of the first and labored through what was his shortest outing this season.
Kazmir allowed four runs on six hits, walked three and had just one strikeout in 2.2 innings pitched.
According to Andy McCullough of the LA Times, Kazmir is suffering from neck and back issues and will be examined by team doctors:
Scott Kazmir has been dealing with back and neck issues. The team doctors will examine him tomorrow in LA.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 22, 2016
Roberts elaborated on the revelation by adding the physical limitations have negatively impacted Kazmir’s ability to execute pitches.
A disabled list stint would make Kazmir the 27th different player put on the DL this season, matching the Major League record set by the Boston Red Sox in 2012.
Kazmir this season is 10-6 with a 4.59 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Including Monday, he’s completed at least six innings in just four of his past 10 starts.
Los Angeles is already facing uncertainty in their rotation as Brett Anderson’s status for Thursday’s game remains in question after he was removed in the fourth inning on Saturday due to a blister.
