Scott Kazmir — the onetime Mets pitching prospect who was dealt to Tampa Bay in exchange for Victor Zambrano in 2004, led the American League in strikeouts in 2007, and then saw his career fizzle out in Anaheim — has been released by the Angels after posting a 17.02 ERA in five rehab starts for triple-A Salt Lake. The Angels will eat the remainder of the $14.5 million owed this season to Kazmir, who has not only lost velocity on his fastball but has struggled with the command of all his pitches. (Via the Los Angeles Times: In one start this year he threw three [!] pitches behind the backs of right-handed hitters.) Sandy Alderson, by the way, says the Mets will look at Kazmir, because they’ll look at anyone who comes across the waiver wire. But considering the Yankees’ pitching strategy this season has been to throw a bunch of guys against the wall and hope that some of them stick, we wouldn’t be surprised if they showed interest signing Kazmir to a low-risk contract. [LAT]