Kazmir throws successful bullpen session

Originally posted by Mark Leff on Apr 5th, 2008 at 7:07 PM.

Scott Kazmir looks to be well on the way to recovery. This morning, he threw a 60-pitch bullpen session in which he threw his slider for the first time. His current timetable doesn’t have him being activated by April 29, but there is a possibility he will accelerate his rehab and be able to pitch in the April/May series against Baltimore.

The Rays are off to a great start. It is quite early, but after four games, no team has scored more runs per game than the Rays. Their pitching has struggled, but they have played two games against the high-octane offense of the Yankees. These four games aren’t enough to make judgments based on, but if the Rays can keep up what they’ve been doing for a few more weeks, then Kazmir will come back and be the dominant spark on an already strong team. With the Rays being competitive for the first time in their short existence, adding Kazmir will create an air of excitement and generate great production all around.

Kazmir’s 2007 wasn’t quite as impressive as his 2006. That’s not to say he had a bad year, but some of his stats were dropoffs: more homers, more walks, a higher ERA. But Kazmir was also the victim of hard luck in 2007, suffering from the highest BABIP (.339) of his career.

Coming aboard the rejuvenated Rays will lead to a career year for the young lefty. If he’s fully healthy, that is.