Kaz headed to DL

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Scott Kazmir will likely open the season on the disabled list rather than risk returning too early from the strained left elbow that has sidelined him since Feb. 26 and suffering a setback during the regular season.
“It’s possible. It’s probably more than likely,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday morning when asked about Kazmir and the disabled list.
Kazmir was suspposed to start Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, but was scratched so he can build more arm strength. Kazmir said he does not feel any pain, but Maddon said Kazmir is suffering some discomfort in the back of his elbow.
“It’s really not bad,” Maddon said. “We’re being overly cautious right now.”
Kazmir, the Rays Opening Day starter during the last two seasons, said he has no problem with the revamped time frame for when he will return to the mound even when there currently is not a timetable.
“I just want to make sure we get it right now,” Kazmir said.
Maddon said it’s possible Kazmir will miss more than one regular season start.
“It depends on when Kaz comes out and does his next throwing event, but there’s a pretty good chance he will not be available at the beginning of the season," Maddon said. "There’s no rush on this whole thing. He’s fine. We just want to make sure the arm strength is there. We want to take care of this right now so there is no lingering effect during the season. I can’t give a specific date right now, but I don’t think it will be very long.”
Andy Sonnanstine, J.P. Howell and Jeff Niemann are candidates to fill the extra spot in the rotation.
In other news from the training room …
Catcher Shawn Riggans did not break a bone in his left hand when he was struck bya pitch Saturday against the Braves, but the hand is bruised and he could miss as many as five games.
Carl Crawford was given Sunday off to rest his legs, which felt tight after Friday’s game against Toronto. With Monday’s off day, Crawford, who did not play Saturday, will have three days off before returning to the lineup.
Reliever Chad Orvella has tendentious in his right bicep. There is no timetable for his return.
Reliever Kurt Birkins irritated the ulnar nerve in his left elbow and is out indefinitely.