Tampa Bay Rays place SP Scott Kazmir on the DL

May 22, 2009 @ 01:00:00

By Keith Hernandez
Edited by Bryce McRae

Marc Topkin, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Rays placed starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (quadriceps) on the 15-day disabled list Friday, May 22, with a right quadriceps strain. The move is retroactive to Thursday, May 21.

Kazmir has struggled mightily this year and is 4-4 with a 7.69 ERA in 45 2/3 innings pitched over nine starts. He went 1-3 with an ERA of 11.35 in his last five outings.

Kazmir has been frustrated with his performance this year and stated that he was dealing with some mechanical flaws in his delivery. It appears those bad mechanics have led to the right quad strain. He'll continue throwing on flat ground and doesn't expect to be out long.

The team is expected to recall highly touted starting pitcher David Price from Triple-A Durham to take Kazmir's spot in the rotation. Price's first start is expected to be Monday, May 25.

Price has a 1-4 record, a 3.93 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings with Durham this year. He struggled in the minors at the start of the year, but he recently struck out nine in five hitless innings Sunday, May 17. Many fantasy owners remember him from the 19 2/3 innings he threw last year in the season and playoffs; he had a sparkling 1.83 ERA and struck out 20 during that stint.

Owners of Kazmir have to be extremely disappointed with his early season struggles in 2009. However, the injury may be positive news and could explain his rough start. Kazmir owners should look to stash him on a DL spot and hope that his struggles will end when he becomes healthy and rights his mechanics.

Price is likely already owned in the majority of fantasy leagues. However, if he is somehow available on the waiver wire in any leagues, you should look to pick him up as soon as possible. His start Monday will come against the Cleveland Indians, who have struggled at their home park this year (.697 on-base-plus-slugging percentage - 26th in the majors).

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Keith Hernandez

Keith, an editor with KFFL, joined the team as a Hot off the Wire analyst in 2008 and has been playing fantasy sports since 2005. He is involved in MLB, NFL and NASCAR content. He graduated from the University of California-San Diego in 2005 with a B.A. in Communications and was a four-year starter as a member of the baseball program.

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