Rays Shut Scott Kazmir Down: Fantasy Impact

The D-Rays shut down ace Scott Kazmir for a few weeks after he experienced discomfort and swelling in his elbow warming up for a spring training start. The Rays went ahead and scheduled an MRI for later in the day and his status will be updated on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

I would move Kazmir down on my draft board a bit. He has had chronic elbow soreness, and battled injury for a few years now. When healthy, he is an elite strikeout pitcher and an ace, but it looks like his small stature and frame, might finally be catching up with him. Generally elbow and forearm soreness are a clear indicator of one thing, a need to ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery.

This reminds me of what happened a few season ago with Francsico Liriano. He experienced elbow soreness and they tried to rest it to get it better. Eventually all it did was wind up delaying the inevitable Tommy John surgery.

I might be wrong and he might be healthy the entire season, and put up his normal dominating numbers. But, going into your fantasy draft, is it really worth it to risk to have a potential ace go down in the middle or end of the season needing surgery? I would go with a safer pick like Roy Oswalt or John Lackey instead or risking it on Kazmir, when there is really no need to take him. No one would bash or mock you for avoiding Kazmir or skipping over him come draft time.