Dodgers sign pitcher Scott Kazmir

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signing of veteran left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir to a three-year contract.  With Kazmir in the fold, the Dodgers now have an all-lefty starting rotation.

Kazmir's signing has been one of the few positive developments in an otherwise disappointing offseason for the Dodgers.

First, the team lost star free agent pitcher Zack Greinke to the rival Arizona Diamondbacks.  Then a deal for free agent starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma fell through after he reportedly failed a physical.  A later trade for rocket-armed closer Aroldis Chapman also collapsed after he became embroiled in an off-the-field legal incident.

Kazmir, 31, has a 98-90 career record with a 3.96 ERA in 272 games (271 starts) in 11 big league seasons, all in the American League, with the Rays (2004-09), Angels (2009-11), Indians (2013), Athletics (2014-15), and Astros (2015).

In 2015 with Oakland and Houston, Kazmir combined to post a 7-11 record with a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts, ranking among the AL’s best in ERA (4th), opponents’ batting average (.237, 15th) and WHIP (1.21, 15th). He produced a 43.4 groundball percentage and forced an average of 0.84 double plays per 9.0 innings, the eighth-highest mark in the AL.

A three-time All-Star (2006, ’08, ’14), Kazmir has posted double-digit victories in seven of his 11 MLB seasons and has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning during the course of his career with 1,474 Ks in 1,553.1 innings, including a career high and AL-best 239 strikeouts in 2007 with Tampa Bay.

To create room on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated outfielder Daniel Fields for assignment.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services