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Roberts: Kazmir beginning season in rotation 'just doesn't make sense'

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

When the Los Angeles Dodgers open up their regular season in April, their starting staff will be without one of its many left-handers.

After a disappointing outing on Sunday against the Texas Rangers that included diminished velocity, it appears Scott Kazmir won't open the season in the rotation, according to manager Dave Roberts.

"Obviously where he's at right now it just doesn't make sense ... for him to be out there on a major-league field," Roberts told reporters, including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Kazmir has been dealing with an ailing hip since leaving a game on March 6, and although an MRI showed nothing was structurally wrong, it's certainly keeping him from pitching at his peak.

"It feels like I don't have my lower half," Kazmir said, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times after his start Sunday.

Roberts said the Dodgers plan on having a discussion about what their next steps with Kazmir are.

With the 33-year-old not expected to begin the season in the rotation, the Dodgers will likely begin the campaign with Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Rich Hill, Brandon McCarthy, and Alex Wood.

Kazmir made 26 starts for the Dodgers last season after signing a three-year, $48-million contract with them in December of 2015. He posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 136 1/3 innings in 2016.

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