Arizona Diamondbacks name Zack Greinke as Opening Day starter
Mar 19, 2019, 6:26 PM | Updated: Mar 20, 2019, 8:06 am
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
For the third time in four seasons, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ $200 million man will be the team’s Opening Day starter.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo on Tuesday confirmed Zack Greinke will start next Thursday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Zack is throwing the ball extremely well,” Lovullo said on Tuesday. “In the three years that I’ve been here, it’s as good as I’ve seen at this point and time.
“Anytime you have that caliber of a guy that comes in as prepared as he did and is having those types of results, you have to give him strong consideration.”
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Greinke was the obvious choice for the appointment.
He posted a 3.21 ERA in 207.2 innings in 2018, slightly better than the 3.20 ERA in 202.1 innings he had in 2017.
The 35-year-old, entering his 16th year in the MLB, has a career 3.39 ERA.
Greinke is under contract through the 2021 season.
Lovullo said Sunday he’s still unsure who Greinke’s personal catcher will be, if anyone.
Alex Avila, John Ryan Murphy, Carson Kelly and Caleb Joseph are all under consideration for the catching spot.
