SAN DIEGO — With a one-game lead in the National League West and 11 games left to play, the Giants will turn to a pitcher who has made just two major league starts in the last five years.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced Tuesday that 37-year-old Scott Kazmir will have his contract selected for the second time this season so he can start Wednesday’s game against the Padres at Petco Park.
“It’s been a crazy year. A very eventful year,” Kazmir said. “I don’t think I’ve ever would have thought I’d be in this position in January, so it’s all good. I’ve loved every moment of it.”
To add Kazmir to the 28-man roster, the Giants optioned reliever Jay Jackson to Triple-A Sacramento. The club cleared a 40-man roster spot by designating reliever Reyes Moronta for assignment over the weekend. Moronta cleared waivers on Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento, meaning he will remain in the organization.
Kazmir hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2016 when he signed a minor league deal with the Giants back in spring training. The veteran lefty completed an unlikely major league comeback on May 22 when the Giants promoted him from Triple-A to make a start against the Dodgers at Oracle Park.
Kazmir completed four innings while giving up two hits and a run in his first game with the Giants this season, but the effort came in a 6-3 loss. The Texas native made two more appearances for the Giants before being designated for assignment in early June.
After going unclaimed on waivers, Kazmir elected to remain in the organization, but received approval from the Giants to pitch for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Kazmir helped lead Team USA to a silver medal finish and said Tuesday he’s still traveling with the medal he earned.
Kazmir said an inconsistent schedule led to inconsistent results with Triple-A Sacramento upon returning from Japan, but he’s found more success in recent outings and said his fastball velocity ticked up to 95 miles per hour in a start against the Las Vegas Aviators on Sept. 16.
Over his last 16 innings, Kazmir has struck out 17 batters without walking anyone.
Kazmir will square off with recently signed Padres right-hander Vince Velasquez, who gave up four runs in four innings against the Cardinals in his first start with San Diego on Friday. Velasquez made 21 appearances with the Phillies this season and posted a 5.95 ERA before being designated for assignment on Sept. 11.
It’s possible a strong start on Wednesday would leave Kazmir in consideration to potentially make the Giants’ playoff roster, but the team is also hopeful veteran Johnny Cueto (right elbow strain) could return to the rotation during the final week of the regular season.
Kapler said Tuesday Cueto could make a rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento by the end of this week, which would give him a chance to potentially make a start during the Giants’ midweek series against the Diamondbacks next week.
