D-backs’ Zack Greinke injured amid dominating performance vs. Pirates
May 15, 2019, 3:10 PM | Updated: 4:39 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game in Phoenix, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke left in the middle of the seventh inning amid a dominating performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Greinke had thrown 95 pitches and was two outs through the seventh when trainers pulled him off the mound following a pitch. Greinke appeared to be wincing and moving his right arm around, but it was unclear whether the discomfort was in his arm, shoulder or back.
Zack Greinke was on a roll, but apparent discomfort will end his day. Let's hope it's not serious. pic.twitter.com/IHFE3KPxLc
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) May 15, 2019
After the game, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said it was abdominal tightness for Greinke. The right-hander is scheduled to have an MRI on Friday.
“I’m always … optimistic about things and I’m going to obviously hope for the absolute best,” Lovullo said. “And I feel like Zack’s honesty and walking off the mound and the way he did and not pitching through anything was a really, really smart move.”
FOX Sports Arizona’s broadcast also replayed a fourth-inning at-bat where an inside pitch made Greinke tense up; he followed the take of a ball by wincing. Lovullo, though, said after the game it was Greinke’s last pitch and not his at-bat when the pitcher really felt the injury. Greinke confirmed that.
“There wasn’t much pain,” Greinke said. “I just knew something was wrong and didn’t want to take a chance of hurting it more. And hopefully nothing’s hurt.”
He was the second injured key player who left the game against Pittsburgh.
The Diamondbacks also lost outfielder David Peralta in the middle of the game due to a right trap injury.
Greinke was replaced on the mound by Yoshihisa Hirano.
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Greinke’s day came to an end without a run allowed and with Arizona leading 8-0. He allowed four hits and struck out five batters without a walk. Greinke induced 10 groundouts and four flyouts.
The Pirates’ Josh Bell doubled off Greinke to lead off the fourth inning but never advanced further, and no other Pirate reached second for the remainder of the afternoon.
Arizona’s ace, who now has a 2.78 ERA, is 6-1 on the year.
Pitches by inning for Zack Greinke, who has thrown seven scoreless innings:
1) 8
2) 16
3) 13
4) 11
5) 11
6) 16
7) 6
TOTAL: 81— Matt Layman (@mattjlayman) May 15, 2019
