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Scott Kazmir leaves A’s-Tigers game with injury

By Matt Verderame

Scott Kazmir has been one of the best pickups for the A's this season after many thought he was done in baseball two years ago.Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Kazmir has been one of the best pickups for the A's this season after many thought he was done in baseball two years ago.Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir left his start against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon with an apparent left shoulder injury, according to Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Pro Hardball Talk. Oakland has the worst record in the American League at 17-31, making Kazmir a prime trade target for competing teams.

Kazmir signed a two-year, $22 million contract with Oakland after putting forth an epic comeback in 2013 with the Cleveland Indians. The southpaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball since that season with Cleveland, making the All-Star team with the Athletics in 2013. Last year, Kazmir posted a 15-9 record with a 3.55 ERA, notching 164 strikeouts against 50 walks.

So far in 2014, Kazmir has started nine games and compiled a 2-3 record for the dismal A’s, all while posting a 3.09 ERA. Kazmir, 31, should draw quite a haul at the July 31 trading deadline if he’s healthy. Oakland, barring some kind of divine miracle, will be looking to sell and with its financial situation, is motivated to play a hoard of younger, high-upside players. With Sonny Gray leading the rotation, Kazmir has slotted in as one of the best No. 2 pitchers in baseball.

Oakland beat writer Jane Lee is reporting Kazmir has tightness in his shoulder, which will certainly be evaluated further in the coming hours and days.

For Oakland, the big blow would be losing such a great piece of trade bait. For Kazmir, he would certainly welcome a return to the World Series, a place he went to and lost in back in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays against the Philadelphia Phillies.

If Kazmir has nothing more than tightness, this is a huge disaster averted for all parties involved. If it turns out Kazmir is seriously hurt, the pitching market at the deadline just lost a major cog.

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