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Kazmir Fired Up To Make 1st Start

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 4, 2008

BOSTON - It has been a long time since Scott Kazmir walked off the mound at the Naimoli Complex after feeling something in his left elbow while warming up for an intrasquad game, initiating a saga that will finally come to an end today.

From Feb. 26 to May 4 - assuming rain doesn't push his season debut back a couple more days - that's a slow nine weeks.

"It feels like it's been forever," Kazmir said Saturday.

At last, it's time for his season to begin. He did his best on the day before his debut to project a calm demeanor, but he knows he'll be fired up as game time approaches.

"Fenway, you're definitely going to have the adrenalin going," he said. "The atmosphere's always going to be there. So you're going to have to harness it a little bit, the adrenalin and everything, but I'm just going to try and stay within myself like I try to do every start."

Most pitchers probably wouldn't relish a return to action against Boston's lineup, but Kazmir has had more success against the Red Sox and in this park than most.

Since 1956, only five pitchers who have thrown at least 100 innings against Boston have a lower career ERA against the Sox than Kazmir's 2.66. And Kazmir's 2.73 ERA at Fenway Park is the lowest for any active starter with at least 50 innings. Only Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon (1.81) has a lower ERA among active pitchers.

So he's comfortable here, and says he'll treat it like any other start. The most important thing to him, though, is finally getting a chance to join in.

"I'm just excited to contribute to the team," said Kazmir. "We've had a good run so far, but that's something that didn't really surprise me - I thought we had it in us the whole time; we're just finally showing it."

Kazmir will be limited to about 100 pitches today, but Rays manager Joe Maddon said he doesn't have any concern about his ace's health. The only worry is the weather, with more rain expected in the area throughout the day. Maddon doesn't want to have Kazmir warm up, only to have to sit back down for an extended period.

If the game is rained out before it even starts, Maddon said Kazmir would be pushed back to start Tuesday at Toronto and the Rays would adjust the rotation from there.

Following Saturday's game, the Rays optioned OF Justin Ruggiano back to Durham to clear a roster spot for Kazmir.

B.J. WAITS: CF B.J. Upton was out of the lineup again Saturday, still not convinced his left shoulder was ready to go full speed after he strained it on a swing Thursday.

"He just felt like he needed a little more time, that's all," Maddon said.

Upton was available to pinch hit and Maddon said it "sounds like" he'll be ready to go today.

REHAB WATCH: An MRI exam on RHP Al Reyes revealed biceps tendinitis, which the Rays took as good news.

"Nothing severe, nothing horrible, just a tendinitis situation," Maddon said.

Reyes will get treatment in St. Petersburg and could begin playing catch again as soon as Monday if he feels up to it. Maddon said he expects the reliever back in a couple of weeks, "at most."

Among the rest of the injured, Ben Zobrist got four at-bats as a DH in extended spring training Saturday and will take today off. Cliff Floyd had to attend to what Maddon called a "family situation" in his hometown of Chicago but is expected to be back Monday and DH in an extended spring game.

LOCKED IN: After warming up in the fourth inning Friday when Edwin Jackson got in trouble, then sitting back down after the starter finished the inning, new reliever Jason Hammel received a bit of veteran advice from Dan Wheeler.

"When Jackson got through the inning, Wheels came up and told me, 'You're going to be in there tonight,'" Hammel said. "From there on, I started the wheels turning and it turned out to be an OK outing."

Hammel got the Sox in order in the seventh, then gave up a run in the eighth before retiring David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded.

Marc Lancaster

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