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It doesn’t sound like Scott Kazmir will be rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation any time soon. The left-hander left his rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City in the first inning after suffering an injury setback on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
Kazmir, on the disabled list with inflammation in his neck that prevented him from fully turning his neck to see his target during his wind up, faced just seven batters on Wednesday, and retired only two against the Nashville Sounds (A’s).
Kazmir walked the leadoff batter then hit the next batter before getting a fly out. He allowed a three-run home run Renato Nunez, then after a ground out walked another batter then hit another.
He was then visited on the mound by the team trainer and left the game, replaced by Lisalverto Bonilla, who was to start Game 4, if necessary, on Saturday.
After a visit from the trainer, Scott Kazmir leaves the game in the top of the first inning. Lisalverto Bonilla will take the mound for OKC.
— OKC Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) September 8, 2016
During his rehab start tonight, Kazmir suffered a setback with his right neck/rib cage area. He's returning to LA for further evaluation
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 8, 2016
Kazmir was supposed to throw roughly six innings and 90 pitches, and if things went well he likely would have pitched for the Dodgers next week in New York against the Yankees.
That won’t happen now. Manager Dave Roberts gave an update on Kazmir after Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks.
Issue with Kazmir was his oblique, and he'll be flying back to LA to get checked out. "Most likely gives [De Leon] an opportunity in NY."
— Sarah Wexler (@SarahWexler32) September 8, 2016
Kazmir last pitched on Aug. 22 in Cincinnati. The left-hander is 10-6 with a 4.59 ERA and 4.50 FIP in 25 starts, with 134 strikeouts and 59 walks in 135⅓ innings.