D-backs shortstop Gregorius out with injury

Feb 12, 2013, 5:19 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2013, 12:39 am

Diamondbacks fans will have to wait a bit to get a look at Didi Gregorius, the key player acquired in the Trevor Bauer trade.

According to general manager Kevin Towers, the shortstop has a “slight strain of the UCL area, right elbow.”

“Preparing for the [World Baseball Classic], I think it was around Christmas-time, he was playing some long toss and felt some discomfort in the right elbow area.”

Towers made sure to note Gregorius’ injury is rather minor.

“It’s a bundle that is, if there was to have a strain, it’s the right area to have a strain,” he said.

The 22-year-old was shut down for four to six weeks, with the idea of not swinging a bat or throwing for a while. Towers said it’s been about a month since then, so Gregorius is about two weeks away from starting to throw and hit off a tee again.

“Doc said, more than likely he should be ready to start the Major League season or the Minor League season, if not it would be shortly thereafter.”

Towers added Gregorius was “probably a long shot” to make the club out of spring training, but said the hope was he’d be able to compete over the next few months and gain some experience.

“We think with the glove and stuff he’s ready right now, but it’s not going to hurt him to get some more ABs, probably in the minor leagues, before he’s up here,” he said. “We don’t view him as a bench player, so when he comes up here we want him to play.”

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed takes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eric Chavez hits during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist fields a ground ball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt tosses the baseball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings makes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Fans watch as the Arizona Diamondbacks run at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, right, talks with Tony Sipp during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Wil Nieves stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson, left, awaits a throw while Martin Prado watches during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Martin Prado throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill makes a catch at second base during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Trevor Cahill bunts during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist makes a throw during a baseball spring training workout Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson takes batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) A basket of baseballs are seen as Arizona Diamondbacks players take batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ryne Nelson (Arizona Sports/Alex Weiner)...
Wills Rice

Report: Ryne Nelson wins D-backs’ No. 5 starting rotation spot, Jameson to bullpen

The D-backs will be moving forward with RHP Ryne Nelson as the team's No. 5 starter in the rotation, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reported Sunday.
12 hours ago
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Pavin Smith throws during an MLB spring training baseball practi...
Wills Rice

D-backs OF Pavin Smith, INF Emmanuel Rivera optioned to Triple-A Reno

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Sunday that outfielder Pavin Smith and infielder Emmanuel Rivera were optioned to Triple-A Reno.
12 hours ago
Catcher Jose Herrera #36 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks to the dugout during the second inning o...
Alex Weiner

D-backs opt for familiarity with backup catcher Jose Herrera

Jose Herrera and P.J. Higgins were the two prime competitors for the Diamondbacks' backup catcher role after Carson Kelly's injury.
12 hours ago
Fans fill Camelback Ranch during the MLB Spring Training baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and...
Wills Rice

Dog makes fantastic home run snag during Cactus League game

A dog made the play of the day in the outfield grass on Saturday following a home run during the Dodgers-Royals Cactus League game.
1 day ago
Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks works out at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on F...
Kellan Olson

Arizona Diamondbacks believe Gabriel Moreno is ready for bigger role

Gabriel Moreno will be the Arizona Diamondbacks' everyday catcher soon enough but it might happen even sooner than expected.
2 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo speaks with reporters after a 7-4 spring training loss t...
Jake Anderson

Diamondbacks still have major roster questions as Opening Day looms

With only six days until Opening Day, D-backs skipper Torey Lovullo still has to get the active roster down from 36 to 26.
2 days ago
D-backs shortstop Gregorius out with injury