Kaz happy with bullpen session

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Scott Kazmir threw his first bullpen session in two weeks Monday morning and pronounced himself ready to return to the mound.

Whether he’ll be on the mound when the Tampa Bay Rays open the season March 31 in Baltimore remains to be seen, Kazmir said.

“Sure, it’s a goal for me,” Kazmir said. “But I'm not going to rush anything. Whatever happens, happens. I realize it's not going to be that big of a difference going from Opening Day to maybe Game 2 or Game 3. We're just going to take our time and make sure that everything is strong and we stretched it out and didn't rush it.”

Kazmir said he threw 20 fastballs and another 20 curveballs, sliders and changeups.

“It was a little different. It's been awhile since I've been on the mound,” Kazmir said. “My release point was kind of off a little bit. But everything felt free and
easy. It felt good, real good. I just have to continue progressing.”

Kazmir, who has started the past season openers for the Rays, has not pitched since he strained his left elbow Feb. 26.

He is scheduled to pitch batting practice Thursday than face the Tigers on Sunday at Al Lang Field.

Kazmir said he will lobby Rays manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey to increase his workload Thursday to 60 or 65 pitches.

If he can pitch Sunday and not experience any setbacks over the next two weeks, Kazmir feels he could be stretched out enough to pitch Opening Day. But right now, he’s more concerned about getting back on the mound. He said the sensation of throwing in the bullpen Monday felt a little strange, giving the layoff, but any sense of relief he had happened last week when he started playing catch in the outfield with trainer Ron Porterfield.

“I was relieved probably before (Monday),” he said. “Just throwing long toss and playing catch, my arm felt really good. Felt really strong and in shape. Just being on the mound and everything (after) kind of being off of it for two weeks, it feels like it's new to me. I've just got to get familiar with it.”