Heading into the three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, the Los Angeles Dodgers already knew they would get a look at former teammate Alex Wood. However, the weekend set added another layer to that when the Giants called up Scott Kazmir for a start on Saturday.
It marked his first time pitching in a Major League game since the 2016 season, which Kazmir spent with the Dodgers. “Credit to Scott,” manager Dave Roberts said before his club’s 6-3 win. “Wants to keep going, feels there’s more in the tank.
“I definitely didn’t expect to see him make a start against us this year, but credit to his perseverance.”
Kazmir’s long path back to the Majors came with a twist of irony. On Dec. 30, 2015, he signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers in a deal that included a signing bonus, opt-out clause and deferred payments.
As such, the Dodgers owed $8 million to Kazmir on Dec. 15, 2020, and will again for a final time on that same date this year. Kazmir unsurprisingly declined to exercise his opt out, but then was included in a salary-motivated trade with the Cincinnati Reds in December 2017.
The 37-year-old pitched in an independent league last year and built off that to sign a Minor League contract with Giants this past offseason. The southpaw allowed just one run and two hits in a return to a Major League mound.
Max Muncy had both of those, including a solo home run in the first inning. The southpaw went four innings.
Roberts a fan of Kazmir
Kazmir’s lone season pitching for the Dodgers came in Roberts’ first year as manager of the club. The two have maintained a relationship since.
“I was happy for Scott. I know Scottie well, and it takes a lot for a guy who’s coming back for the love of the game, not for monetary reasons,” Roberts said. “I give him credit.
“Muncy took a good swing on a changeup, but outside of that he kept us at bay. It was good to see Scottie. That was good for him.”
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