Kazmir sharp in rehab start

Scott Kazmir pitched an efficient six innings for Triple-A Durham in his second rehab start, allowing one run on five hits, striking out five and walking none. Kazmir, on the DL with a left quad strain and trying to rebuild his mechanics, threw 55 of 78 pitches for strikes against Boston's Pawtucket affiliate.

Comments

[DIZ]

San Diego has a closer named Bell with a 1.80 ERA. THIS is the guys the Rays should be going after.

[D]

Niemann is here for a while, TriplePlay. The Os don't need another young starter. Neither do the As. And the Rays aren't going to trade his potential to take on more salary.

The Rays already have their ideal closer. He's down in Durham. His name is Scott Kazmir and he should be down there getting adjusted to a new role. We keep hearing about his mysterious difficulties. There's no mystery, in my opinion. He just isn't built to throw 200+ innings a year. He's a strikeout pitcher when he's strong but it has been almost two years since he was really strong. Why? Too much work. It just seems obvious to me. Some guys are built to throw a lot of innings and some aren't. Kaz ain't. But he sure as heck has everything you could ever want in a A+ closer.

[Kurt]

Garza may be the odd man out if only because of the high $$$ it is going to take to re-sign him.

[REB]

WITH KAZ COMING I THINK SONNY HEADS TO THE PEN & WINSTON [CHURCHILL]TO DURHAM. KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HELLICKSON WHO IS HEALTHY & PITCHING STRONG AGAIN. HE COULD OVERTAKE WADE DAVIS AT SOME POINT.
TALBET SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING BACK. FOR THE FUTURE THERE IS GORGEN 0.27 ERA AT A BALL AND BARNESE WHO IS SPECIAL ! WINSTON & THAYER ARE WORTH A 2ND LOOK !!

[Robert]

Guys, just stop with the Niemann trade talk. No way, No how does it happen. This kid is a rookie who is throwing in the mid to high 90's and has 6 wins notched under his belt. The coaching staff loves him ( especially Hickey) and think he is going to be a stud. He just really has to work on his command from the stretch. It will be intersting to see what is going to happen... I say Davis will be in this rotation by next season and it will be interseting to see who will be out along with Sonny. I actually think it may be Kaz if he comes back and struggles again.

[Chris S]

TriplePlay - That's a good thought, but I'm not sure if it's a reality. The perfect trade partner would be a team that is building for the future and would be willing to deal a solid closer for a potential number 5 (or soft 4) in their rotation. Can you think of any team that fits that description? Maybe the Orioles (George Sherrill)? That's the only team that comes to mind, but I doubt they would take a straight up trade for Neimann.

Problem is there aren't many bad teams with good closers, and the bottom line is there isn't a team in contention that has an extra closer to spare. The Brewers, for instance, are desperate for another starter, but they sure as heck aren't going to trade Trevor Hoffman.

[TriplePlay]

Watch for a trade - Niemann will be gone. Plenty of teams will pick this guy up - I'd like to think somebody would give up a potential closer ( for us ) like a Bailey for Niemann straight up swap or Baez for Niemann plus cash - who knows with the news about Aki only good things for the Rays.

[MarkFidrych]

Say goodbye to the rotation soon,Maddon's pet,Sonnanstine!

[Jason W]

Yeah with how much I want to see Sonny sent downand (not put in the pen)I think Niemann might be out.I just get the feeling Maddon doesnt like Niemann as much as he likes Sonny.

[Jason W]

Lurch Lobbyists Garza Consistent?Yeah right

[Lurch's Lobbyists]

The Rays wouldn't consider the 6 man rotation because it reduces the # of appearances by your most consistent starters (Shields and Garza). Sonny will almost surely go down to AAA, and return, possibly with Talbot, for spot starts in August and September.

[Caleb]

GOODBYE Sucktanstine. Kid K is back, suckas!

[9equals8.com]

Rays are going to have a tough choice to make (although maybe not that tough given Sonny's problems this year). Let's hope we have 6 healthy, MLB starting quality guys to choose from. So, Sonny looks like the odd man out, but it would not surprise me if Price is sent back down to work out the kinks. Who knows, maybe the Rays will give the old 6-man rotation a shot. But, the Rays have a bunch of off days coming up, so it's doubtful they will go that route.