Kaz conservative in second comeback this spring

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

DUNEDIN – Perhaps admitting that the first try at getting Scott Kazmir back on the mound was a little too aggressive, Rays manager Joe Maddon detailed Kazmir’s workload for the next week or so before Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Konology park.

Kazmir, who strained his left elbow Feb. 26, threw Tuesday morning with Rays trainer Ron Porterfield in the outfield at Al Lang Field. It was the second straight day Kazmir played catch with Porterfield, making 30 throws from 90 feet.

Kazmir, who was officially placed on the disabled list Tuesday retroactive to March 21, will not throw Wednesday.

He will throw again Thursday and Friday with the idea of getting the distance of each throw to 120 feet by weeks end.

If Kazmir comes through that with out any pain or setbacks, he will return to the mound sometime next week.

“The rest of this week is the progression of throwing distances and next week try to work to get him toward the mound by some point,” Maddon said.

Kazmir’s first comeback was stopped when he experienced pain in the back of his elbow after pitching batting practice to Jon Weber and Joel Guzman on March 13. Kazmir was scheduled to start against the Tigers on March 16, but was scratched.
His throwing sessions since they have been light.

Tuesday was the first time he threw on consecutive days in two weeks.

This second try at getting Kazmir back into a game is not as aggressive as the first program.

“It’s a little more conservative this time around,” Maddon said.

Kazmir is eligible to come off the disabled list April 5, but will not be ready until the end of the month. He will need several starts in extended spring to build the arm strength and gain the game experience needed before pitching in a big league game.