Kazmir "more than likely" headed to DL

Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged Sunday morning that LHP Scott Kazmir seems likely to open the season on the disabled list, though also reiterated that there are no major issues and simply a matter of building arm strength so Kazmir can go through the entire season without any addition problems.

Maddon said it was "probably more than likely" Kazmir would be sidelined at the start of the season.
"It just depends on when Kaz comes out and does this next throwing event, but there's a pretty good chance that he would not be available at the beginning of the season,'' Maddon said. "There's no rush on this whole thing. We believe he's fine. We just want to make sure that the arm strength is there and that we take care of this right now so that there is no lingering effect during the season. We just have to not give you a specific date right now but I don't think it's going to be very long.''

Kazmir was to make his exhibition debut on Sunday, now he won't even be allowed to play catch as the Rays say he needs to build "arm strength.'' Maddon said they don't know when Kazmir will return to the mound.

Specifically, Maddon said "it's just something on the backside of his arm. It's not bad. It really is nto bad. We're being really overly cautious right now. He threw the other day and he threw really well actually. He came out of it and we were just not satisfied that the arm strength was built up and we want to make sure any kind of discomfort is gone out of there.''

Kazmir also said it was not a major concern and they wanted to take "a little bit more time" to make sure he was fully ready. "I'd rather miss just a couple starts early in the year than miss a couple months during the year,'' Kazmir said. "I just want to make sure we get it right.''

Kazmir said he expected it to take "just a couple more days longer to get where we need to be at.''

There was some good news on C Shawn Riggans, whose left hand was only bruised and not broken, meaning he should miss only a few days.
LHP Kurt Birkins' elbow problems are the result of an irriated ulnar nerve, though Birkins said it was not a major problem.
LF Carl Crawford continues to have tightness in his left hamstring but is expected to play Tuesday.
INF Andy Cannizaro remains slowed by back problems and could get back on the field by Tuesday.
RHP Chad Orvella remains sidelined with shoulder issues but is improving.

Comments

[Are you Kidding?]

To let any Rays fans out there who care. The Trop will only offer $8 24 oz. beer this season. Either out of a can from an in seat vendor or a draft. Something smaller would be an import. Just a heads up.

[kyle]

Time to start sneaking my flask in again. Good news for Ferg's.

[bear]

Kaz appears to be a life long half miler.
100 and out

[grizzly bear]

Kazmir started 34 games last year. The max for an opening day starter is 36. He started 32 games in 2005. The only time he missed a significant amount of starts was 2006 when he started 24 games. And the Rays were admittedly cautious that year because he threw so many games the year before at 21 years old. You won't find too many players in the history of the game who started more MLB games before turning 24 than Kazmir.

[rayray]

Special K will be OK.

Pony kegging in the lot.

[JJ]

Kaz will be fine. "Bear" sounds like the typical half-@$$ "fan" that doesn't know his @$$ from a hole in the ground. For a pitcher, he's about as durable as they come.

[David]

Please be ok Kazmir and Crawford, please be ok Kazmir and Crawford, please oh please oh please oh please oh please

[Ray]

First Rocco, now Kaz. Can't this training staff figure out what the problem is and keep it away?

[Jason]

I think maybe it's time that we start looking into the job that the training staff is doing?
Either way, I'll take Kazmir's elbow issues over the elbow issues (Zambrano) that we traded to get him.

[Bodog]

Fellas, it should be no issue about Kaz's arm, The Mets had concerns with his arm - why do you think we got him for next to nothing. The Rays took a chance that Kaz, because of his age , would out grow it, but on the other hand - he'll do just fine. "Go Rays"

[justin]

not Orvella...say it ain't so

[justin]

not Orvella...say it ain't so

[Nodog]

The Mets did not have any concerns with Kazmir's arm before they traded him. Simply not true. Completely made up. Nobody had concerns with Kazmir's arm. Kazmir was 20 years old and had only pitched 4 games above single-A. The Mets were trying to make a playoff run and they got the Rays #1 starter. He wasn't a true #1, but the Mets pitching coach loved him and thought he could make him a dominant pitcher.

[Budman]

If they want to get some fans in there they should have some beer specials. Eight dollars a pop is brutal for 3+ hour games.

[bear]

Grizz, he starts lots and finishes none.
How does that help us again?

He's gone after 5 1/2 or less.

Walks too many and goes way too deep trying to strike people out.
Unless he starts pitching to contact pretty soon ..well you know.

[Yogi Bear]

Bear, Kazmir was 13-9 on a 66-96 team and led the league in strikeouts. THAT is how he helps us. Obviously he isn't "gone after 5 1/2 or less". He went 6 or more innings twenty five times last year. He went less than 6 innings 10 times. Less than 5 twice.

Kazmir averaged over 6 innings per start. The best contact pitchers average just under 7. So what, he averages about two outs less per game than the best contact pitchers. And the Rays keep him on a leash (aka pitch count).

Sure, he could cut down on the walks. If he does that, he'll go from very good to very very great.

[Yogi Bear]

Correction... He went less than 6 innings 9 times, not 10.

[JB]

Yogi, He helped us to LAST PLACE...

Let us know when he helps us to the Playoffs

[rayray]

Hey JB,,,, Pena, CC, AKI, BJ, Shields, also helped us last year to last place; so whats your point about Kaz, ah, you have no valid points.

[bear]

Yogi ..he's 100 and out
How many CG again? Shutouts?
Led the league in strike outs only because they shut down Bedard 2 months early.

Please

[Brown Bear]

Yea JB, because everyone knows one pitcher can carry a team to the playoffs all by himself. I'll let you know when you say something that isn't idiotic.

Bear, you like your catch phrases, but they aren't true. Kazmir isn't actually 100 and out, but he doesn't go too far over 100 because the Rays won't let him. It isn't because he's tired and can't keep going.

Bedard wasn't shut down "2 months early" either. Another exaggeration. Change the 2 to a 1 if you want to be accurate for once. Bedard would have run away with it if he made 34 starts like Kazmir. But he didn't, did he?

CG's and shutouts? Kazmir didn't have any because the Rays limit his pitches. And rightfully so. HE JUST TURNED 24. History is riddled with great young pitchers like Steve Avery and Alex Fernandez who were overused when they were in their early 20s and ended up useless long before they should have hit their prime. You can't fault Kazmir for the Rays caution.

[Bear]

BB I'm well aware they yank him at or about a 100. That's my dim point.

Jeez what a bunch of koolaiders.

He won the KO title because Bedard was shut down ..I'm sure you can tell me how many innings. They arent in the same league

Who led the league in walks per inning?
Just askin

Point is the guy is no super star and they continually baby him.

Toronto has a couple of 23 year olds who go deep regularly. By that age you are there to win not to retire.