Zack Greinke throws bullpen session, return to mound closer

GOODYEAR -- Zack Greinke made progress on Tuesday afternoon, throwing a light bullpen session, his first time throwing off a mound since straining his right calf in a start on Feb. 27 against the Diamondbacks.

After five straight days of throwing only off flat ground, Greinke threw for a few minutes off a mound at Camelback Ranch before the Dodgers' night game against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

"He was pretty light today, he'll go again tomorrow," manager Don Mattingly said. "Depending on how that goes, we'll go from there."

This is the necessary step for Greinke before he can be cleared for his next start, which Mattingly has said will be on the back fields rather than in a Cactus League game. There is still no date for that game, but Greinke is already anxious to return to the mound.

"He felt good," Mattingly said. "He's got a plan, but I don't think Stan [Conte, director of medical services] has agreed to it yet."

Wednesday night

Hyun-Jin Ryu gets the start for the Dodgers at Goodyear against the Reds, and is expected to go three innings. He will be followed on the mound by Jose Dominguez, Javy Guerra, Matt Magill, Paco Rodriguez and Carlos Frias.

Alexander Guerrero gets the start at second base, and Dee Gordon starts in center field against the Reds. Mattingly said the regulars will start playing six innings instead of five, beginning tonight, to try to get an extra at-bat whenever possible. In addition, starting Thursday, when any regulars aren't playing they will take extra live batting practice against a pitcher either from the major league side needing work or from the minor league side.

Scheduled reserves for the Dodgers tonight include Mike Baxter in right field, JC Boscan at designated hitter, Justin Turner at second base, Drew Butera at catcher and Brendan Harris at shortstop.

Dodgers minor leaguers in uniform tonight are left-handed pitcher Fu-Te Ni (No. 86), infielders Darnell Sweeney (87), Daniel Mayora (88) and Aaron Bates (95), and outfielders Jon Garcia (89)Jeremy Hazelbaker (90) and Scott Schebler (91).

Homer Bailey starts for the Reds, and among the others available to pitch are Jeff Francis, Sam LeCure, Manny Parra, J.J. Hoover, Pedro Beato, Trevor Bell and Daniel Corcino.