Scott Kazmir knows that almost nobody except himself and perhaps his family is counting on him to pitch effectively for the Braves in 2018. And he probably knows that many doubt the injury-plagued former ace left-hander will pitch at all.

But even if few others seem to think he'll make it back and be a factor this season, Kazmir believes, or at least makes a convincing case of as much. The 34-year-old says he's healthy and ready to surprise us all.