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Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir leaves start early with hip problems

By Charlie O'Connor Clarke

Aug 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (29) works during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (29) works during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scott Kazmir had injury concerns last season, so the Dodgers definitely will hold their breath after seeing him leave a spring start early.

After throwing just 14 pitches against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Kazmir was pulled from the mound, citing tightness in his hip. In one inning of work in his second spring training start, Kazmir allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout.

The Dodgers ended up losing the game 10-9, with eight pitchers appearing in relief of Kazmir.

As ESPN’s Doug Padilla reports, Kazmir began to feel pain in warm-ups:

"“It was during [pregame] warm-ups where everything started tightening up on me, pretty much every part of the hip,” Kazmir said. “I couldn’t fire my back hip, my back leg and there was no power or direction. That’s a tough way to pitch.”Kazmir will be evaluated on Tuesday morning, the team said."

Kazmir was forced out of the lineup for parts of August and September last season with neck and spine problems, causing concern for Dodgers fans who saw their team’s lineup decimated by other injuries. In 26 starts in 2016, Kazmir went 10–6 with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

In his previous spring appearance on March 1, Kazmir went 1.2 innings against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed two runs off of one hit and two walks while striking out one.

With so much starting pitching depth in Los Angeles, Kazmir is vying to secure either the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation, behind Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill. Fortunately for the Dodgers, if Kazmir’s injury keeps him out for any significant length of time there will be no shortage of candidates to replace him.

Brandon McCarthy, Julio Urias, and Ross Stripling are all among the pitchers who will get a look in spring training.

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Kazmir, 33, is entering the second year of a 3-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers. 2017 will be his thirteenth year in the majors.

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