GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Mets fans get ready for Scott Kazmir II.
Kazmir is re-inventing himself as a pitcher and is making good on the promise he told The Post’s Mark Hale before spring training that he would make it back to the big leagues in a big way.
Kazmir has opened eyes in the Indians’ camp after coming here on a minor league contract and is in line to make the rotation. He pitched three innings Wednesday in a “B’’ game to work on his breaking ball and had about 10 scouts watching him as he hit 93 mph on the radar gun and showed a crisp breaking ball.
“Everything is going to plan,’’ said a smiling Kazmir, 29, who last pitched in the majors in 2011 when he appeared in one game for the Angels. “The hard work is paying off. It’s about time.’’
Indians manager Terry Francona said he is impressed.
“We had a lot of reports on him, but I was still amazed at how free and easily the ball is coming out of his hand,” the Cleveland manager said. “I remember in Tampa, he would get the ball and fire it, had one of the best left-handed sliders in the game. He’s a little different pitcher now, probably more of a pitcher. I think he understands himself better. He probably grew up a little bit and he’s in great shape.’’
“Terry was one of the big reasons I came here,’’ Kazmir said. “A manager like that reminds me of Joe Maddon, just an awesome guy to be around. I’m very confident. Everything seems to be coming together. A lot of things that I worked on are starting to pay off. I’m getting back to stuff that came naturally to me.
“Being away from the game for a year and a half, it seemed like an eternity. It really did. It’s definitely a humbling game.’’