The Los Angeles Angels have placed left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir on the disabled list due to lower-back stiffness, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.  In his place, Matt Palmer will start at home versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

There have been suggestions that the Angels and Kazmir could part ways, especially after a disasterous Opening Weekend last week when he went 1 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals – the shortest outing in his career.

Manager Mike Scioscia said that the team would have to look into situation regarding Kazmir, and his trip to the disabled list could be the team’s first action before finally cutting ties with the left-hander.

DiGiovanna said in March that if Kazmir continued to struggle, the Angels may have no choice but to release the lefty. They would eat the $14.5 million left on his contract ($12 million for 2011 and a $2.5 million buyout for 2012’s team option).

Kazmir was 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA and 93 strike outs over 150 innings and 28 starts in 2010.