The end appears near for Angels pitcher Scott Kazmir, who is hit hard again

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Scott Kazmir has made no progress in his minor league rehabilitation stint with triple-A Salt Lake, and it now appears to be a matter of time before the Angels release the struggling left-hander and swallow his $14.5-million contract.

Kazmir, making his fourth start for Salt Lake on Thursday night, gave up six runs -- five earned -- and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked five batters, hit three batters and struck out three. Of his 91 pitches, 52 were strikes. He was so erratic that three of his pitches went behind right-handed batters.

Kazmir, who spent a month in extended spring training in hopes of finding a consistent delivery and release point, has given up 23 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings for a 15.15 earned-run average in his four starts with 16 walks and 13 strikeouts.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna