Scott Kazmir has been placed on the 10-day Injured List
The San Francisco Giants added a little bit of pitching depth before starting their final series of the year, a three-game weekend set against the San Diego Padres. The team announced on Friday that left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir had been placed on the 10-day Injured List, and fellow left-handed pitcher Sammy Long had been recalled from AAA.
ROSTER MOVES: LHP Scott Kazmir placed on the 10-day Injured List with a right hamstring strain.
LHP Sammy Long recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) October 1, 2021
It’s a smart depth move for the Giants, as Kazmir started Thursday’s game, and was thus unlikely to pitch again this regular season. He also looked like one of the odd players out on the postseason roster, so the Giants don’t much need to worry about the timing of his IL stint.
Kazmir has appeared in five games with the Giants this year, and while he’s had some great moments — namely a stellar start against the Padres last week — his overall line is quite poor: 11.1 innings, 15 hits, 6 walks, 8 earned runs, and 10 strikeouts. He left Thursday’s start after recording just one out, though it isn’t entirely clear if he was removed due to injury (he stepped on first base funny) or because he was pitching poorly (he had already allowed a pair of runs, and left the bases loaded).
Long’s numbers also don’t stand out, but his stuff certainly does. In 40.2 innings this year — his debut season — the lefty has allowed 37 hits, 15 walks, and 25 earned runs, while striking out 38. He could provide multiple innings of relief in critical moments this series, or he could help eat innings to keep Kevin Gausman and/or Logan Webb fresh if the Giants clinch the NL West early.