Zack Greinke close to rejoining Diamondbacks
Aug 1, 2016, 5:06 PM
FILE - In this June 7, 2016, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game in Phoenix. Greinke is making slow progress in his return from injury, too slow for his liking. "It would have been nice to be back a week ago,'' he said before Wednesday's, July 20, 2016, game against Toronto, his first public comments since he went on the disabled list July 3 with a left oblique strain.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
It’s been over a month since pitcher Zack Greinke left the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks with an oblique strain, but the wait could soon be over if all goes well Wednesday.
He is scheduled to make a rehab start Wednesday with the Triple-A Reno Aces and if it goes without a hitch, Greinke could be in line for a return to the majors. He is expected to rejoin the D-backs for an Aug. 9 start when they head east to face the New York Mets.
On Friday, July 29, Greinke got his first start since June 28 for the Arizona League D-backs. In three innings, Greinke gave up four hits and no walks in 52 pitches. He had an unearned run and struck out five batters in a row before the game was suspended due to lightning and rain.
He is expected to go 80 pitches with Reno, D-backs manager Chip Hale told the media on Monday.
Although the game was cut short, it was good news for Arizona and Greinke.
Greinke will look to pick up where he left off in June when he went 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Since starting the season 0-2, he put together a 10-3 record before heading to the DL July 3. He’s struck out 91 batters with a 3.62 ERA and added a complete-game shutout in 17 games as a D-back.
