Angels Release Left-Handed Starting Pitcher Scott Kazmir

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim released starting pitcher Scott Kazmir on Wednesday.

With the move, the Angels will owe Kazmir $14.5 million. The 27-year-old pitched just 1 2/3 innings this year, giving up five runs. Kazmir never made it back to the Angels after he pitched poorly in his minor-league rehab starts.

“From where he was in August, September [2009] when he came over and actually threw the ball well in spring training in [2010] to where he is now is a very rapid decline,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told The Associated Press. “He’s still young and I’m sure at some point we hope he can unlock that secret of where he needs to be.”