Kazmir set back, won't pitch Sunday

In what has to be considered a concerning development, LHP Scott Kazmir has been scratched from his scheduled exhibition debut on Sunday.
Rays manager Joe Maddon insisted Kazmir was "fine" and there was "nothing wrong with him,'' but said the Rays wanted to give him time to "build up more arm strength.''
Also, LF Carl Crawford was scratched from Saturday's game due to tightness in his legs, which Maddon also said was not serious.
After a Feb. 26 elbow strain, Kazmir had been working his way back into form and had made enough progress that the Rays were projecting him to pitch sometime the first week of the season. But that seems to be in jeopardy now, and the likelihood he could open the year on the disabled list would seem to have increased, though Maddon said it was still possible he could pitch in the first five or six games.
"We just want to try to build up a little more arm strength before we put him back out there,'' Maddon said. "He's fine. There's not a thing wrong with him. During the season he probably would have pitched but I just want to build up a little more arm strength with this whole thing.''
RHP James Shields will start Sunday for the Rays, and in all likelihood will be on the mound for the March 31 opener in Baltimore.
Maddon said Kazmir will be limited to playing catch for a few days then have to throw another bullpen session before the Rays would consider putting him in a game. "It's a couple days, it's not necessarily a setback,'' Maddon said.
The delay "is probably going to definitely" eliminate Kazmir from the March 31 opener, Maddon said.
Crawford came in early Saturday and told the trainers both his legs were tight. "C.C. just came up a little bit tight today,'' Maddon said. "I just think the field was kind of wet (Friday) and sometimes when you run on soft ground that can happen. So his legs were a little bit tight today and we said "No" . I just took him out of the lineup.'' Maddon said under regular season or playoff situation Crawford could have played.
Maddon said Crawford could return to action Sunday, but with the Rays off Monday it would seem reasonable they'd wait until Tuesday.

Comments

[Danny]

More and more now I am getting the feeling that Kaz wants out. I say let him go. When you dont want to sign an extension with the team that basically gave you your first shot at the big leagues, there is going to be a problem.

[Eli]

Relax Danny, just because the Rays are taking extra caution with their ace pitcher during meaningless spring training games has nothing to do with his dedication to the franchise. Lets not jump to 'Letting Him Go' just because of this.

[jk]

Trade Kazmir to NY for Shelly Duncan.

[ben]

Merlot Joe doesn't want to disclose that there is more to his injury. Same thing they did with Rocco. What a joke.

[JB]

Maybe Kazmir is tired like Rocco...
Wait untill this season unfolds, I bet we are last place again.. Do not vote for the NEW PARK.. These New Owners are not good..Believe me on this one

[D-Ray]

JB is a dick.

[JB]

D-Ray, say what you want but I have been right on about this team for along time now. I also have been right on about Kazmir.. OVER RATED!

Same with Rocco.. Get used to it pal..

[AT]

JB, how'd you get away from your ESPN baseball analysis gig to post your thoughts on the Rays; I mean if you're right about EVERYTHING you must be a MLB GM or Manager....what an a-hole. This has nothing to do with the new stadium which would be fantastic for the city.

[rayray]

JB's just a noramous transplant trying to gring own ax, you can go back any day now.
Rays rocc on & waterfrint stadium will be built.

Get use to it pal

[JB]

rayray, they have already lied twice and now the so called Parking spaces are not really there. If they want a Stadium pay for it themselves. They are worth the $$$$ But no, they want guys like YOU to pay for it while they still put a minor league team on the field...

JB

[Jonathan]

Kazmir is the least overrated player in DRay history.

He's the best move they ever made, the best talent they ever had, the most successful and consistent... and he's still, what, 24?

Lighten up you pathetic tools. It's concerning to true fans of the game to see a bright young star have injury concerns on the horizon. And Kazmir is one of the brightest and youngest.... still.

[JB]

My point exactly jonathan.. he is 24 and gets hurt every year.. sounds alot like Rocco. It is what it is.. damaged goods

It will be another long season

[JB is Wrong]

JB, what are you talking about the "parking spaces aren't there?" Read the traffic study online....almost 14,000 spaces. The Grand Prix crams 100,000 people into downtown. Parking is NOT a problem.

[JB is Wrong]

JB, what are you talking about the "parking spaces aren't there?" Read the traffic study online....almost 14,000 spaces. The Grand Prix crams 100,000 people into downtown. Parking is NOT a problem.

[Bodog]

@JB is Wrong - Hate to admit it, but JB is sorta right about the parking downtown. Look! I'm a retired Police officer with the city and a devoted Rays fan. I worked off-duty traffic at every Rays home game at the trop. Our city transportation infrastructure, especially downtown is not geared to handle the vehicle traffic that a Rays game will bring, however it can be done. JB Wrong - those 100,000 people that show up at the races, guess where most of them parked during the weekend races. Yup! Tropicana Field, they were trolleyed to the downtown area. If Stu and the boys want this new stadium, they are going to have to keep some of the acreage at Trop field and use it for parking and trolley people to the new stadium. The city doesn't and will not have enough Police Officer to manage every intersection in the downtown area in a 10 block radius to get vehicle traffice in and around the stadium area effectively and efficiently in a timely manner. I don't know if you've ever been to a game when the Yanks or Bosox are in town - remember the congestion, all the traffic tie-ups. Magnify that by ten fold downtown during the week when people who work in and around the downtown area are trying to leave. I repeat - if Stu wants that new Stadium, he better keep some of that Trop property for parking - it's the only way it will work. Those 14 thousand parking spaces they are talking about in and around the downtown area - they are already occuppied until 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.