2016 Dodgers review: Scott Kazmir

Signed to a three-year contract last winter, Scott Kazmir had a rough first season with the Dodgers. Here is a look back at his 2016.

What went right

In a season that saw the Dodgers scramble to fill their rotation at times, Kazmir helped with his 26 starts, second on the team.

Kazmir had an 11-start stretch from May 25 to July 24 that saw him go 6-0 with a 3.57 ERA, with 69 strikeouts in 58 innings and a 28.5% strikeout rate.

The left-hander came within one out of a complete-game in a win over the Cardinals on May 14, his longest outing since May 28, 2014 with the A’s. It was the longest non-Kershaw start by the Dodgers in 2016.

Kazmir actually did better after the first two times through the batting order, with hitters .236/.314/.415 against him after two trips through the lineup.

Kazmir struck out a season-high 12 in a win over the Reds on May 25.

His 46 strikeouts in May were the most by a non-Kershaw Dodgers pitcher since Zack Greinke struck out 46 in April 2014. Kazmir also had 33 strikeouts against just three walks in July.

Kazmir allowed only nine home runs in his final 17 starts.

What went wrong

Kazmir allowed at least four runs in six of his first nine starts, including 12 home runs allowed, and his seasonal numbers never really recovered.

In his final five starts, Kazmir had more walks (13) than strikeouts (10) to go with a 5.40 ERA.

Kazmir saw his season cut short by stiffness in his neck and back that didn’t allow him to fully complete his delivery to the plate effectively, diagnosed in September with thoracic spinal inflammation. A comeback attempt in late September was thwarted when he lasted just one inning in his start on Sept. 23.

Kazmir’s walk rate (8.8%) was his highest since 2010.

2016 particulars

Age: 32

Stats: 10-6, 4.56 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 136⅓ IP, 134 strikeouts, 0.2 rWAR, 1.3 fWAR

Salary: $11 million, plus a $5 million signing bonus as part of his 3-year, $48 million contract signed last offseason. $8 million of his 2016 salary is deferred to Dec. 15, 2019.

Game of the year

Kazmir struck out 10 in six scoreless innings on July 2 against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

Roster status

Kazmir has 2 years, $32 million remaining on his contract, though he can opt out and become a free agent after the World Series if he so chooses.