Arizona Diamondbacks: Greinke: first spring outing was ‘okay’

Right-hander Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks said he was satisfied with his initial outing, but he looks to refine.

Though there is little admission, a greater sense of urgency, this spring, to the methodology of pitcher Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks seems apparent. As one of the dominant pitchers of the decade, Greinke’s preparation and work ethics are legion.

Known for his quiet but determined agenda, Greinke is mostly left alone and given complete liberty and autonomy. Though his wry sense of humor becomes noticeable in sessions with the media, Greinke remains distant and, some contest, aloof.

Regardless of his agenda, Greinke remains one the most durable and productive pitchers of this decade.

At the beginning of training camp, Greinke told Call to the Pen that his preparation last spring was compromised and believed he suffered personal setbacks. This time, he cut down on off-season travel and resigned himself to a regiment of strict preparation for spring training and the season ahead.

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The result appears to be a much more focused Greinke, and with a greater sense of purpose. Not that there was an absence of his noted work ethic in the past, but Greinke told Call to the Pen he wanted to come into the 2018 season stronger and more focused.

After his first appearance of the spring Sunday, the results may not be there, but Greinke told Call to the Pen, that while he was satiated overall, there are several tweaks which must be undertaken.

"“Felt all right and tried to keep it as simple as possible,” he said after his outing. “Not worried about runners and just trying to pitch okay. Definitely not ready for the season. It was okay, but definitely not perfect.”"

If Sunday’s outing against the Milwaukee Brewers was to establish a flow and rhythm, Greinke seemed more determined to address specific issues. Though not concerned with the substance or outcome of the game, he seemed to focus on those elements of his game which may have represented a lower priority last spring.

"“I was more worried about making my pitches as close as to where I wanted them,” he said. “I threw many strikes, but not quality strikes. My stuff is better than my first start last spring, but my command was further away. That’s where I’m thinking at the moment.”"

If Greinke wants to pay greater detail to various aspects of his game, at this point in the spring, manager Torey Lovullo has not dictated any change or alternation. In fact, Lovullo told Call to the Pen after Greinke’s outing on Sunday, that Greinke remains the same regarding preparation.

"“I thought Zack was typical for a first outing of this spring,” Lovullo said. “His fast ball command was not as good, and we wanted him to go two innings.”"

The criteria Lovullo and pitching coach Mike Butcher established for starters in their initial start of the spring is 30 pitches or two innings, whichever comes first. Greinke lasted 1 2/3 innings and reached a 29-pitch count. Of the 29 pitches, Greinke tossed 21 for strikes, allowed three hits, one run, walked none and struck out no-hitters.

"“I was happy with the way things went (Sunday),” he said. “That’s the most important thing. I can fine-tune some things from now until start of the season. Where I am right now, that should be fixable and I’ll be able to make some adjustments. The next start will probably be bad also, but hopefully, it will be a couple games before the season is ready.”"

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With a 5-1 defeat to Milwaukee before 8,370 at Salt River Sunday, the Diamondbacks fell to 1-2 in spring games.

The only run was a sixth-inning homer from first baseman Christian Walker. For the game, the Diamondbacks managed seven hits against eight Milwaukee pitchers.

Looking ahead …

Outfielder Steven Souza, acquired from Tampa in a three-team deal last week, will make his Arizona debut Wednesday at Salt River against the Rockies. Outfielder Jarrod Dyson, signed as a free agent last week, will make his first Arizona debut on Friday against the against the Rockies at Salt River. Pitcher Taylor Widener, who joined Souza in that deal, will pitch for the first time in Sedona Red on Tuesday against the Giants.

Next …

On Monday, the Diamondbacks spilt their squad. Half remain at Salt River and engage the Rockies. Initially, Anthony Banda was scheduled to start this game, but the lefty was dealt last week as part of the Souza deal. Now, Braden Shipley gets the start.

The other half travels to Goodyear to take on the Cincinnati Reds. Lefty Robbie Ray gets his first start of the spring in this one.

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Rather than face the Rockies, an NL West division opponent, Lovullo told Call to the Pen he will try and keep his starters away from division opponents as much as possible in spring games. For that reason, Ray goes against the Reds.

Because this is his first start of the spring, Ray, as the other starters, is on a 30-pitch or two-inning watch, whichever comes first.