Arizona Diamondbacks: With Zack Greinke out, Robbie Ray will likely open season

Right-hander Zack Greinke has been scratched as the opening day starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Now that the obvious is out of the way, manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks can focus on the reality. Before Monday’s spring game with the Chicago White Sox at Salt River, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that right-hander Zack Greinke was scratched as Arizona’s opening day starter.

Plagued with a right groin injury, Greinke will miss this turn and, depending on the severity of the injury, could miss more. After Greinke tossed a session this past Sunday, it was reported by mlb.com that Greinke felt, in his word, “great,” and pointed out the injury was a minor discomfort.

While making politically correct statements are always admirable, Lovullo and the Diamondbacks’ organization appeared too cautious in this case. In reality, a groin injury can be tricky at best. The slightest pull in the area could require rest for a protracted period, and only rest can adequately heal this injury. Given the fact that Greinke’s diminished fastball velocity has been the subject of concern this spring, and now the groin issue, the start of this season does not appear terribly encouraging.

Instead of admitting that the healing process associated with a groin injury can be complicated at best, Lovullo appears to minimize the nature of the malady. In any event, the club is proceeding with caution, and now Lovullo turned to Plan B. That would leave lefty Robbie Ray as a prime candidate to start on opening night, but Lovullo would not go that far.

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The choice of Ray to open the campaign is obvious, but Lovullo and Arizona decision-makers tend to look at the long term. The Diamondbacks open with the Colorado Rockies at home next Thursday night, and that’s the first of a six-game homestand. After three with the Rox, there is an off-day and then three with the Dodgers in Chase Field.

Should Greinke need additional rest, the day off between the opening series could work to his benefit. At this point, Greinke is slated to throw Wednesday night in a spring game at Salt River against the San Francisco Giants. After that, Lovullo and the medical staff will continue the evaluation process.

All of which leaves Ray directly on the radar screen.

After his previous start last Thursday against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ray discounted the notion he may open the season. Speaking to Call to the Pen, the lefty indicated this was not his decision, and he would go about preparing for the season.

“I’m just going about my business every day,” he said after that Cubs start. “Just trying to build my arm strength up and get ready for the season. Whatever falls into place, happens.”

Reinforcing his desire to gain more significant fastball command, Ray told Call to the Pen that aspect of his game continues requires refinement. Plus, Ray is throwing more curves in games this spring and pointed out that sets-up his fastball.

“I threw more curve balls last year than the year prior,” he said. “The curve ball is a feel pitch and I’m just trying to feel it in the (strike) zone, out of the zone. I feel like when it’s on, like it was against the Cubs, it makes my fastball that much better.”

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In his last start, Ray brought his pitch count up the 68 for six innings of work and that included 50 for strikes. In the first inning alone, he showed the kind of efficiency needed to get deep into games. In that initial frame against the Cubs, Ray needed only seven pitches to set the North Siders down in order and six were for strikes.

For Ray, fastball command is essential, but so is first-pitch strikes. If he does not hit the strike zone on the initial pitch to a hitter, Ray tends to get behind hitters. Conversely, a first-pitch strike puts him in command.

Before the bell rings next week, Ray is scheduled for two more spring starts. His next outing is slated for Tuesday in Tempe against the Angels.

Where are they now …

Earlier this spring, lefty Anthony Banda was penciled as one on the bubble for a spot in Lovullo’s starting rotation.

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As quickly as that declaration was made, Banda was off to the Tampa Rays in a three-team deal which brought outfielder Steven Souza, Jr. to the Diamondbacks.

On Monday, the Rays optioned Banda to Triple-A Durham.