Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Scott Kazmir was removed in the second inning of his start against the Colorado Rockies due to an apparent injury. Kazmir threw a total of 14 pitches, and was visited on the mound by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer after throwing one pitch in the second inning.
Kazmir allowed one hit and had one strikeout in his brief outing. It was the second start of the spring for the veteran left-hander, who allowed two runs (one earned) in 1.2 innings pitched against the San Francisco Giants last week.
Kazmir spent the offseason and much of camp working to improve his mechanics and delivery. According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Kazmir was removed due to hip tightness and may undergo an MRI:
Left hip tightness for @scottkazmir19 . Heading for precautionary MRI. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 6, 2017
Per @DodgersPR, @scottkazmir19 will not have MRI today. He'll be re-evaluated tomorrow to see if further testing is necessary.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) March 6, 2017
Kazmir was placed on the 15-day disabled list with neck inflammation last August and suffered a setback while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 33-year-old was then diagnosed with thoracic spine inflammation on Sept. 10. Kazmir was reinstated from the DL in late-September and made a start against the Rockies.
However, he was removed after a scoreless first inning with right intercostal (muscles between ribs) spasms, and never pitched again in 2016. He finished last season 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA, 4.48 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 26 starts.
During the offseason Kazmir opted into the remaining two years and $32 million of his contract with the Dodgers.
