Carl Crawford out with quad tightness, A.J. Ellis out with flu

GLENDALE -- Both Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis are out of the Dodgers' lineup on Thursday in their Cactus League home opener against the Diamondbacks.

Manager Don Mattingly said Crawford has a tight right quad and will also be held out on Friday, which would have been a scheduled off day, as a precaution, with a planned return on Saturday.

Crawford said he felt tightness all over in Wednesday's game. He played five innings in left field and scored from first base in the third inning on a double by Yasiel Puig. Crawford said he didn't feel tightness on any one play, just more general tightness after his first game.

"I just want to be careful with him," Mattingly said. "It's really just preliminary. He doesn't feel like it's anything. This is still part of us being cautious at this point, because we know if we get any real setbacks or if it's anything major and we push, then we're in real trouble."

Ellis is out with the flu. He was sent home early Thursday morning. We're guessing it wasn't beef jerky related.

Alexander Guerrero is back in the lineup for the Dodgers, but at designated hitter. Dee Gordon, who played the final four innings at second base on Wednesday following Guerrero, gets the start at the position on Thursday. Mattingly said he plans to play Guerrero almost every day during the Cactus League, including some days at designated hitter. Guerrero will start at second base on Friday.

"If I get 25 efforts like I get from Alex every day, we're going to be fine. He comes here every day and gives himself the best chance for success," Mattingly said. "I think we'll see him better and better as camp goes along, the fluidity of his game will get better as he plays regularly."

Zack Greinke gets the start for the Dodgers on the mound on Thursday, and is expected to throw two innings, followed by another simulated one in the bullpen. Other pitchers available to pitch after Greinke include Chris Withrow, Red Patterson, Pedro Baez, Carlos Frias, Sam Demel, Jarret Martin and Daniel Moskos.

Scheduled backups for the Dodgers include Miguel Rojas at second base, Nick Buss in center, Brendan Harris at shortstop, Clint Robinson at first base, Scott Van Slyke in right field, Joc Pederson in left field, Justin Turner at third base, and Miguel Olivo behind the plate.

Randall Delgado starts on the mound for Arizona.