Arizona Diamondbacks: For Zack Greinke, a defining moment may come shortly

Zack Greinke faces a critical test on Saturday. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)
Zack Greinke faces a critical test on Saturday. (Norm Hall / Getty Images)

Right-hander Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks faces a critical test on Saturday.

There are not many defining moments in a season, but the Arizona Diamondbacks are the cusp to experience such an encounter. A major concession might be, as this event is about to transpire, this will influence not only the start of the championship season but implications beyond.

While Zack Greinke, the titular head of the Arizona pitching staff and considered still among elite pitchers in the game, continues to be plagued by two significant factors, his status for the opening week and beyond could be determined in this defining moment.

That’s because Greinke is slated to have a bullpen session around 10:00 Saturday morning, and from that event, manager Torey Lovullo and other decision-makers may, or may not, be ready to commit to Greinke’s future.

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With a groin injury as a principal focus of activity here late in spring training, Greinke casts an enormous shadow about this franchise. Not only was Greinke penciled in as Arizona’s opening pitcher just last week, that entire scenario underwent a dramatic transformation.

That caused Lovullo to scratch Greinke as his opening day starter and created a domino effect through his rotation.

Plus, velocity on Greinke’s fastball diminished this spring, and this continues to cause concern.

Now, Greinke’s production on Saturday represents a fundamental episode in the overall scheme. That was a key point Lovullo indicated to Call to the Pen before Friday’s game with the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear.

“This will be a very important day for Zack,” Lovullo said of the Saturday bullpen session. “Last week, it looked pretty concern Zack would open the season and everything was lined up perfectly. Now, we just want to do the right thing.”

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On Saturday, Greinke will throw a bullpen session, not pitch in a simulated game, and not pitch against live hitters. This is another controlled environment which Lovullo stresses and can be in a position to make an assessment and appraisal with minimal outside interference.

Relative to the pitch count, Lovullo did not offer a number, but Greinke tossed 60 pitches this past Wednesday in a simulated game against Diamondbacks’ minor leaguers.

Now, club officials hope he could be on target for his first start of the season. Then again, the severity of his groin injury was never disclosed and depending on how Greinke feels after his latest bullpen session, he could miss a few days, a turn or two or land on the disabled list.

For these reasons, Lovullo did not hesitate to anoint Saturday a critical and defining day, with future implications, for the 2018 season.

On the diamond …

On Friday night, the Diamondbacks dropped a 5-1 decision to the Indians before a sell-out crowd at Goodyear Ballpark. The only tally was a sixth-inning homer from minor leaguer Camden Duzenack over the left field fence against righty Mike Clevinger, Cleveland’s starter, and winner.

Left fielder David Peralta left the game in the fourth inning with a jammed right hand. After the contest, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that the injury is not serious and common among baseball players.

“David will not miss any time,” he said. “I took him out as a precaution. If this was a regular season game, I would have likely stayed in. At this point, there’s no sense to risk any kind of injury with the start of the season so close.”

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On Saturday, the Diamondbacks split their squad. Half remain at Salt River and engage the Kansas Royals. Zack Godley is slated to start for Arizona against lefty Danny Duffy. Lovullo will stay at home and manage this game.

The other half travels over to Tempe and a date with the Angles. Kris Medlen, on the bubble to make the team as a reliever, will start against former Diamondback Tyler Skaggs for the Halos. Bench coach Jerry Narron will manage the team against the Angels.