Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Greinke regains old form

A groin injury to pitcher Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks did not interfere with a stellar effort Monday night.

At this point, a right groin injury sustained by right-hander Zack Greinke of the Arizona Diamondbacks in mid-March is a minor distraction. At least, that’s a principal conclusion which could be drawn from Greinke’s notable effort Monday night against the Cleveland Indians.

Showing no effects from an injury which received a great deal of attention, Greinke seemed to turn the clock back to his glory years with the Dodgers. With an efficient pitch count and repeatedly getting ahead of hitters, Greinke demonstrated that concern over his injured groin was a non-issue.

Before Monday’s game in Chase Field, manager Torey Lovullo told Call to the Pen the goal for Greinke was five innings and 75 pitches. By the time Greinke concluded his effort before 16,392, he had gone a solid six innings and reached 75 pitches, 55 for strikes. Afterward, Greinke told Call to the Pen this was his most productive effort this spring.

"“It was definitely the best outing of the spring,” he said. “Felt as good I felt all spring. The results were as good as they have been all spring. Also, pitched pretty well from the stretch. I haven’t had much of an opportunity to do that too much.”"

Despite the efficiency of effort, Greinke’s fastball did not knock down any walls. Rarely reaching 90 miles-per-hour, the veteran relied on secondary pitches for strikes and fastball location. Despite the issue of Greinke’s fastball this spring, Lovullo discounted the lack of velocity as a concern. Considering his body of work Monday night, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that Greinke commanded both sides of the plate.

"“(Greinke) controlled the entire environment,” he said. “This was typical Zack form. He was solid and when he works both sides of the plate, like to did (Monday night), he is very effective.”"

At this point, Greinke is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Thursday and if medically cleared, would make his season debut this Saturday at home against the Rockies.

So efficient was Greinke that he faced one hitter over the limit for his six innings. That was a one-out single by Rajai Davis in the fourth inning. Otherwise, Greinke was perfect, walked none and fanned four hitters. A foreshadow of his effort transpired in the first inning when Greinke needed only seven pitches to retire Cleveland in order.

"“I wished this one counted,” Greinke told Call to the Pen afterward. “I was able to get a feel for what’s working and how to get ready for the games that count. It’s just a matter of fine-tuning and otherwise, thought I was pretty good today.”"

In the trainer’s room …

Left-fielder David Peralta was scratched from the lineup Monday night. He jammed his left thumb last Friday night in a game against the Indians in Goodyear. If this was a regular season game, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that Peralta would have played.

"“David wanted to play, and we had to pull him back,” Lovullo said. “We thought one more day of rest would be beneficial, and David will play (Tuesday afternoon).”"

Roster moves …

More from Call to the Pen

Before Monday’s game, the Diamondbacks assigned pitchers Michael Blazek and Kris Medlen, outfielder Rey Fuentes and infielder Kristopher Negron to their minor league camp. Placed on the 10-day disabled list were pitcher Randall Delgado with a left oblique strain and outfielder Steven Souza, Jr with a right pectoral strain. Catcher Chris Herrmann was released from the major league roster.

With two days before opening the season at home against the Colorado Rockies, the Diamondbacks to continue to pare their roster. That means the club will carry three catchers and John Ryan Murphy beat out the veteran Herrmann for a roster spot.

On the diamond …

In the next-to-last pre-season contest, the big lumber carried the Diamondbacks to a 7-0 victory over the Indians.

A solo blast from Jake Lamb leading off the second inning was followed by a two-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt in the fourth carried the offense. Both Lamb and Goldschmidt each chipped in with a home and a double for the game, and the Diamondbacks banged out 10 hits. Goldschmidt led the attack with a 3-for-4 night, two runs scored and knocked in a pair of runs.

The win moved Arizona’s spring record to an even 15-15-2 with one game remaining on their spring slate.

Next: Owings assumes responsibility of playing five positions

The exhibition season ends Tuesday with an afternoon game in Chase Field against the Cleveland Indians. Right-hander Taijuan Walker gets the start for Arizona and faces former Diamondback Trevor Bauer. Behind Walker, Andrew Chafin, T. J. McFarland, and Michael Blazek are scheduled to pitch.

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