Peoria, Ariz. – Scott Kazmir insists he’s “good” and will make his next start.
The Los Angeles Dodgers lefty exited Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners after the fourth inning with an apparent injury, but played coy about the injury when asked inside the Dodgers clubhouse at Peoria Sports Complex.
Something was amiss when umpires granted Dodgers reliever Adam Liberatore an unlimited number of pitches to warm up for the fifth inning.
In a candid interview, Kazmir admitted that he left due to a minor abdominal issue, but repeated that he was OK and will make his next start, scheduled for March 31.
“It was just something completely minor,” said Kazmir, who has had a rough spring with a 10.39 ERA. “I was like ‘I’m ready to go.’ Then it was like ‘no, let’s not even test it.’
“All the tests went well. Everything went great. Everything went awesome. It’s really nothing to kind of even identify. We are good. We are definitely good.
“It’s just one of things where everything was going great and it was just something. I felt comfortable, I felt good. They made the decision to just shut it down as precautionary.”
Kazmir tossed 70 pitches and allowed two earned runs in the first inning.
It’s been a rough spring for the Dodgers when it comes to injuries. The injury list grows by the week, and the last thing the club needs is another pitcher from the rotation added. A look at some of the major injuries this spring:
- Left fielder Andre Ethier will be on crutches for six weeks with a right tibia fracture.
- Shortstop Corey Seager has a sprained left knee but is expected to be ready by Opening Day.
- Catcher Yasmani Grandal has a right forearm strain and should be ready for the Opener.
- Right-hander Brandon McCarthy is out for the season after Tommy John elbow surgery.
- Right fielder Yasiel Puig is day-to-day with hamstring tightness.
- Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu is recovering from left shoulder surgery and could rejoin the rotation in May.
- Right-hander Mike Bolsinger will start the season on the disabled list with a strained oblique.
- Left-hander Brett Anderson is expected to miss 3-5 months recovering from back surgery.
Says Kazmir. “I definitely don’t want to be on the list right now. I’m a 100% good.”
Seagers strike out
The Seager family went 0-for-3 this spring.
Kyle Seager, who plays third base for the Seattle Mariners, didn’t get a chance to oppose his younger brother Corey, the shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a spring game.
The Mariners and Dodgers, separated by about 10 miles in the Cactus League, played three times this spring, but the brothers never got on the field at the same time.
In their final meeting of the spring on Saturday, the Dodgers sent a split squad to Peoria Stadium and Corey, No. 1 on USA TODAY’S 100 Names You Need To Know, didn't make the trip because of a sprained left knee. .
Kyle, 28 and 6 ½ years older than Corey, had a two chances last spring, but once again it didn’t come to fruition.
“He was on the field, but we didn’t actually get to play against each other.”
The two teams won't meet during the regular season.
Corey, 21, a lanky shortstop with power, poise and leadership skills, might be the National League’s version of Carlos Correa.
“I’m very excited for him,” said Kyle. “I’m excited for him. He’s a pretty special guy. I can’t wait for this season to get going for him. I hope he goes out there and kills it”
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