Kazmir strong in final rehab start; rotation decision looms
By Jon Ziegler | April 28th, 2008 | Posted in General
LHP Scott Kazmir, who is scheduled to join the Tampa Bay rotation this weekend, cleared the final hurdle in his rehab process with his start for the Durham Bulls on Monday night. Kazmir work 5.0 innings and allowed only 1 ER on a solo homer in the third. Kaz actually came out to start the 6th inning, but he was removed from the game after issuing his first walk of the evening. He added 3 Ks and allowed only 3 hits. All signs point to Kazmir making his debut on Sunday against Boston in Fenway Park where the lefty has had so much success in his young career.
The activation of Kazmir this weekend will finally bring to a conclusion, if only briefly, the ongoing competition for the 5th starter in the Rays rotation. Matt Garza and Jason Hammel appear to be safe in 3 and 4 spots, each for different reasons, with Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson battling for the last spot. This topic has been hashed and rehashed everywhere in the Rays blogosphere so I will be short in offering my opinion. I believe the most likely scenario, barring a trade, is that Sonnanstine will be optioned to Durham to make room for Kazmir.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Hsve you seen that the Brewers are carrying a 14-man pitching staff right now? Let’s hope that’s NOT the route we take.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I really hope they send Garza down to AAA, he needs to work on his command. He has more potential than Sonny or Hammell, but the bottom line is that right now he is not as good as them. The rays have a chance to win right now and they need to manage the major league pitching staff accordingly. I will be disappointed if Sonny is sent down.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Wow, someone that agrees with me!! How refreshing… I agree, that Garza should work on his command, and get some of the strength he might have lost due to injury down at AAA, mostly just temporarily until he is needed, or someone falls out of favor with the big club… I’d say 2, 3 weeks at the most, but it buys the Rays front office some more time…
April 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
We’ve probably got about as much chance of Garza being sent down as we do of Jose Canseco coming out of retirement and playing DH for us. They didn’t trade the right fielder of the future to send Matt Garza down after one month.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
yeah though I may agree with you, the time to have Garza work on things was when he was coming off the DL. Say you were having him start a few games in the minors to see if the numbness would occur again or w/e.
Sending down him now would be a PR nightmare. People are already pissed about the Delmon trade even though he is hitting crappy. You don’t want more unhappy fans.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’d hate to see the team make this based on PR. The best PR a team can have is winning. Who cares what everyone thinks about the Garza trade? He has a live arm and a good stuff, but it really seems like he needs to some more work before he is going to be a major league caliber starter.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I am so sick of people saying hammel has a better chance because he doesnt havean option left. After hammels peformance tonight, it is obvious that he is the weakest link, and if the rays keep him just because he has an option, than it is obvious they cant make the tough decsions to improve our ball club. Sonnanstine dominated the minors and he is improving in the majors, he deserves his fair shot at rotation before being sent to the Bullpen, both Hammel and Jackson have had their many looks, Sonnastine deserves his. How many options shouldnt even be considered, its which pitcher gives u the best chance to win. Simple as that.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Is it possible to get Gregor Blanco from Atlanta for Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel plus Gabe Gross? And if not for a package of those two, for Hammel/Jackson and Houser?
Blanco would be a great fit for our Outfield and another option next to Aki for the leadoff hitting role?
What do you say? I would love that (maybe Hammel + Gross)
May 1st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
… and by the way: Atlanta needs a starter in order to the demotion of John Schmoltz to the closer-role!