Scott

Kazmir

After four years out of the league, Kazmir made five appearances for the Giants and pitched for Team USA in the Olympics last year. He’ll likely land a minor league deal somewhere.

Kazmir added that he’s already fully recovered from a hamstring injury which he sustained during his final appearance of the 2021 campaign back on October 1. He also indicated that he would welcome a return to the Giants next season. The 37-year-old veteran southpaw will be a free agent this offseason and should be able to land a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The 37-year-old left-hander sustained the injury during Thursday’s start. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined and whether or not he’ll be an option for the Giants at any point during the postseason. Sammy Long was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Kazmir exited the start with a trainer. He was able to get just one out, gave up three runs and issued two walks prior to leaving. There should be a further update on Kazmir’s status before Friday.

The 37-year-old southpaw has done a decent job in four appearances (three starts) for the Giants this year, registering a 4.09 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 10/4 K/BB ratio across 11 innings. Even with a nice matchup against the Diamondbacks, it seems unlikely that Kazmir makes it through five innings in this one, making him an underwhelming streaming option.

Kazmir got the call to the majors to make the start on Wednesday with Johnny Cueto still on the injured list. He gave the Giants four strong innings, allowing just one unearned run. He started the fifth inning, but run into some trouble as he loaded the bases on one hit and two walks. The one run would score on a catcher interference ruling before Kazmir was pulled at 71 pitches with no outs and the bases loaded. Camilo Doval did an excellent job preventing any more damage with a strikeout and double play. Kazmir carries a 4.09 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 11 total innings this year and could get another rotation turn in the final week.

The veteran southpaw will get the start Wednesday against the Padres in his first start at the major league level since July. Kazmir was a silver medal as a part of Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this summer but is not a worthy option in fantasy leagues.

Kazmier allowed five earned runs over seven innings (two starts, one relief appearance) earlier this season with San Francisco, before helping Team USA earn a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics in August. The 37-year-old left-hander probably shouldn’t be a fantasy consideration against the Padres.

The Giants are also open-minded on his role as they deal with injuries to their pitching staff. Kazmir appeared in the majors for the first time since 2016 this season, allowing five runs on eight hits with a 7/1 K/BB ratio over seven innings. The 37-year-old also had a stint with Team USA during the Olympics this summer. He’s posted a rough 7.30 ERA and 8/8 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 innings since rejoining Triple-A Sacramento, but the Giants still see a possible opening for him.

The 37-year-old southpaw passed through waivers unclaimed as expected. It’s unclear how long he’ll want to toil at Triple-A while waiting for another chance with the big league club. Kazmir posted a 6.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7/1 K/BB ratio over seven innings of work with the Giants.