LOS ANGELES -- Scott Kazmir (neck, rib cage reinjury) didn't last an inning in his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, leaving with a trainer after allowing a three-run homer. The left-hander is headed back to Los Angeles for further evaluation.
Kazmir walked two batters and hit two more to go with the homer, not a good sign for the southpaw's command. He was scheduled to throw 90 pitches over six innings, but ended up throwing just 33 in two-thirds of an inning.
Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday and reiterated Wednesday that a clean start from Kazmir would mean a return on Monday or Tuesday in the team's series at the Yankees, but that is obviously improbable given how few pitches Kazmir threw.
A delay for Kazmir would likely mean another start for prospect José De León, as Roberts said Monday that De Leon's status depended on how Kazmir came out of the start. De Leon, MLBPipeline.com's No. 2 Dodgers prospect, struck out nine over six innings while allowing four earned runs in his MLB debut against the Padres on Sunday.
The Dodgers are no strangers to rehab starts going south in the last week. While Clayton Kershaw's sole rehab appearance on Saturday with Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga went swimmingly, Brett Anderson (blister) allowed six runs and lasted just two innings of a scheduled five in relief of Kershaw. Two days later, Brandon McCarthy (right hip stiffness) yielded five earned runs and nine hits in four innings of work with Rancho.
Worth noting
• Trayce Thompson (back fractures) is still attempting a comeback even with time winding down on a return this season. The outfielder is currently walking on a treadmill and riding an exercise bike and is hoping to begin baseball activities soon.
"Even if they tell me I'm done for the season I still feel like I'll never lose hope," Thompson said.
• Yimi García, already out for the season with a severe right biceps injury, had arthroscopic left knee surgery to remove small bone fragment.