© Yukihito Taguchi | 2021 Aug 4
SAN DIEGO — Silver medalist Scott Kazmir is back with the Giants and will start the second game of San Francisco’s three-game series against the Padres in Petco Park.
Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that Kazmir is built up to pitch six or seven innings if he performs well. He’s allowed five runs on nine hits in his last 12 Triple-A innings.
“We’ve been looking for an opportunity for him,” Kapler said. “He’s earned it. He’s been pretty gritty and resilient through all of this.”
Kazmir, 37, represented Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Since returning, he’s made six starts for the Sacramento River Cats, going six innings in each of his past two. At the Triple-A level on the year, Kazmir has registered a 4.61 ERA in 12 starts.
Kazmir last pitched for the Giants on June 4, when he allowed two earned runs in two innings against the Cubs. He’s appeared in three MLB games this year, starting two, and has surrendered five earned runs in seven innings.
When asked if Kazmir could possibly play a role in the postseason if he performs well, Kapler said that everything is on the table.
“We know that when Scott is at his best, he can really help us,” Kapler said.
Kazmir’s return to the Giants, in addition to Alex Wood coming back from the COVID-19 list, signals at least a temporary end to bullpen games. Without Wood and Johnny Cueto (hamstring), San Francisco played two out of every five games without a traditional starter for the past two weeks.
Cueto, Kapler said, has progressed well and could make a rehab start as early as this week. He resumed throwing last week and extended his distance from 60 to 90 feet in the outfield.
With Kazmir’s return, Logan Webb will start Thursday’s series finale with the Padres and Wood will open the Rockies series in Coors Field later in the week.
- When asked about Reyes Moronta, who cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Triple-A Sacramento, Kapler said the designation for assignment was due to a combination of performance, physical condition and his stuff. Moronta posted a 7.98 ERA for the River Cats and has walked 11 batters per nine innings
- Heading into this series, the Padres are five games out of the second Wild Card spot. Fangraphs gives SD a 3.6% chance at reaching the postseason.
- Chadwick Tromp, who was signed by the Braves, had a conversation with Kapler Tuesday morning. The call spoke to the type of human Tromp is, Kapler said, and he expressed his gratitude to the organization.
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