Dodgers’ Kazmir exits early with tight hip
Left-hander spent offseason working on his flexibility.
Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander Scott Kazmir exited after his first pitch of the second inning Monday against Colorado because of tightness in his left hip.
Kazmir, 33, said he felt out of sorts during his pregame warmup and the first inning. He was 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 last starts last season, the first of a threeyear, $48 million contract. He struggled with mechanics and flexibility because of injuries, so he embarked on an intensive offseason program designed to enhance his strength and flexibility.
He said he could not turn o r ext e n d h i s b o dy wel l enough to make all of his pitches Monday, and the ones he did make topped out at 85 mph.
“The frustration is through the roof right now,” he said after his second spring training start. “I’ve been dealing with this for a while now. With all the treatment and exercises I do and to be in this spot right now is definitely a head-scratcher.”
The Dodgers’ starting rotation is expected to be headed by Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda, with Kazmir competing with Julio Urias, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart for the final two spots.
Rangers: Third baseman Adrian Beltre said he’s OK to join the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic. Beltre, 37, played his third game in four days Monday after missing the first week of exhibition games because of a strained left calf, an injury sustained working out at home before reporting to camp. “I would like to represent my country,” he said. “This is going to be my last WBC that I’m part of.”
Red Sox: Chris Sale had his first spring training performance Monday against Houston. Acquired from the White Sox in December, the left-hander gave up two runs (one earned) after 37 pitches in two innings. Sale’s fastball hit 97 mph a couple of times during the first inning. He struck out two.
Rockies: Reliever Greg Holland threw between 91 mph and 92 mph in his second simulated game of spring training, down from 96 mph during his best years with the Royals. “I felt good and the ball was coming out of my hands,” said Holland, who had surgery in October 2015 to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament. “I was real pleased with it.”
T i g e r s : M i k e P e l f r e y pitched 21/3 innings Monday and allowed six hits and five earned runs. The right-hander has worked 32/3 innings this spring and has a 7.36 ERA.
Mets: Manager Terry Collins said former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow would be the designated hitter Wednesday when the Mets host the Red Sox in a split-squad game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. “I don’t think he’s going to make our team,” Collins joked with Newsday, “but I think it’s great for the organization, it’s great for the fans. He’s a pretty famous guy. It will be fun to get him out there.”
Mariners : A mariac hi band serenaded Leonys Martin after he arrived in the clubhouse in Peoria, Ariz., on Monday for his 29th birthday. The four-member band then remained the outfielder’s constant companion throughout morning workouts. Martin said pitcher Felix Hernandez was behind the surprise.