D-backs shortstop Gregorius out with injury

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.”

Follow @theAdamGreen