NewsKazmir returns to rotation for Rays
Tampa Bay (40-35) vs. Florida (38-37), 7:08 p.m. ET
By Zach Schonbrun / MLB.com
06/27/09 1:12 AM ET
ST. PETERSBURG -- For days, it seemed everyone knew that Scott Kazmir was ready to return to the Major Leagues. The question was when. |
The other question was how.
Tampa Bay suddenly found itself with an abundance of arms in the starting rotation, with Kazmir activated off the disabled list after missing 32 games with a strained quadriceps. It made for a difficult decision for Rays manager Joe Maddon. But it was resolved Friday -- struggling right-hander Andy Sonnanstine was demoted to Triple-A Durham, and Kazmir will take the ball on Saturday against the Marlins, his first start since May 20. "I'm looking forward to it," Kazmir said. "It's been quite awhile." Rays fans will be eager to see which Kazmir exactly has returned: the hard-throwing ace who was a two-time All-Star or the one who struggled through nine starts this season with an ERA over seven. He's refined his mechanics to shorten an over-extended stride, something Maddon has said should help him better execute his delivery and revive the persona that's helped him become a cornerstone of the Rays franchise. But there remain lingering questions about whether the 25-year-old Kazmir can set aside his dismal early-season performances. He walked 29 batters in 45 2/3 innings and allowed 39 runs and 60 hits. His 7.69 ERA was among the worst in baseball at the time of his injury. Maddon is optimistic based on how Kazmir has rehabbed and performed in his Minor League starts. He allowed one run in six innings for Durham on Monday. He didn't allow any runs in 4 2/3 innings for Class A Charlotte last week. But the Marlins will be the first true test. "I'm really eager to see [him pitch]," Maddon said. "I'd like to believe he has that same feeling about him. I know he does. He's been champing at the bit, too. It's good to get him back. He's a big part of now and our future. I believe he's going to do really well." Pitching matchupTB: LHP Scott Kazmir (4-4, 7.69 ERA)
Kazmir makes his long-awaited return to the Rays' rotation after 32 days on the disabled list with a quad injury. He has reworked his delivery and has spent enough time away that he should be refreshed enough. Part of his problem early on this season was confidence. The Rays are hoping he can rediscover the poise that made him a two-time All-Star. FLA: RHP Chris Volstad (5-7, 4.74 ERA)
Volstad picked up his first win since May 25 on Father's Day against the Yankees. The right-hander improved after two terrible outings, but still had some rocky moments. With two outs in the top of the third, Derek Jeter chopped a single over the 6-foot-8 hurler's outstretched arm to extend the inning. Volstad struggled to put the next few New York hitters away, walking Nick Swisher on four pitches and giving up back-to-back RBI hits to Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, before retiring Robinson Cano to end the frame. The 22-year-old retired nine of the last 10 hitters he faced to finish his outing, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings while walking one and striking out four. Tidbits
Reliever Chad Bradford was also activated off the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Bradford has missed the entire season so far following elbow surgery. He appeared in 21 games for the Rays last year and went 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA. ... Pat Benatar will perform a postgame concert Saturday night as part of the Rays Summer Concert Series. It's the third concert of the series so far this summer. ... Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy was in attendance Friday night. Tickets
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• Sunday: Rays (David Price, 1-2, 4.45) vs. Marlins (Andrew Miller, 2-3, 4.17), 1:38 p.m. ET
• Monday: Rays (Jeff Niemann, 6-4, 4.23) at Blue Jays (TBD), 7:07 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Rays (Matt Garza, 5-5, 3.61) at Blue Jays (Brett Cecil, 2-1, 5.19), 7:07 p.m. ET
Zach Schonbrun is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
