Dodgers News: Greinke Assesses First Start Since Right Calf Strain

Zack Greinke made his second Spring Training start of 2014 and first since suffering a right calf strain in the first inning of his start on February 27. Greinke managed to throw more than four pitches in his second outing, but had mixed results. The right-hander completed the expected two innings, giving up six hits and three runs to an Arizona Diamondbacks lineup that lacked nearly all of their expected everyday players.

After the game, Greinke assessed his start and discussed where his calf and arm feel after just his second spring start:

The calf was better in the second inning than the first and that was a positive. The best part was the last two pitches that I tried to throw really good. Just kind of getting better everyday is the key. Haven’t really had maybe any setbacks so that’s been another positive. Closer on the calf than the actual pitching again.

What the immediate future holds for Greinke remains to be seen. The Dodgers play their final Spring Training game on March 16, which wouldn’t allow for enough days rest for him to get another start. Greinke said he didn’t know when or where his next start will be, but signs point to it being in a minor league game.

Don Mattingly already announced that Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu will both start the Opening Series in Australia and Greinke could be called on to start the US Opener. When asked if his goal was to be ready for the San Diego series, which starts March 30, Greinke said that’d be the ideal goal.

Greinke threw 41 pitches in his two innings this afternoon and was hit around pretty good. He allowed a solo home run among the six hits and made another 14 pitches in the bullpen. When asked about the elevated pitches, Greinke said, “It happens to me a lot in Spring Training. It happens when I’m tired. It’s just my arm not being in shape”.

It sounds like Greinke took another step forward and while he was able to make the start today, he doesn’t seem to be at 100 percent just yet.

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