Zack Greinke throws first bullpen session of camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke returned to a mound on Tuesday, throwing his first bullpen session of camp, after getting shut down for a few days following a lubricating injection into his right elbow.

The Dodgers called the injection normal, preventative maintenance, and something Greinke has done in each of his three years in Los Angeles. Greinke on Tuesday said his elbow felt like it usually does.

"It's the same as it was at the end of the year, the beginning of the year, this offseason when I talked to you guys," Greinke said. "There is always a little bit of concern."

Greinke had an injection of platelet-rich plasma into his elbow in March 2013, and had a start pushed back two days in August 2014 because of elbow discomfort.

After playing catch on flat ground for two days, on Tuesday Greinke threw 24 pitches, all fastballs.

"I'm not trying to push things," Greinke said. "I'm just working on form, locating pitches. Give it a start there, then move on to other things."

At this point last spring, Greinke and other Dodgers pitchers and catchers were trying to get ready for an Australia trip that cut short their spring training camp to 37 days. Greinke strained his right calf, fell behind schedule and stayed in Arizona while the team went to Sydney.

This year, camp is 42 days for pitchers and catchers before returning to Los Angeles.

"I think that caused some trouble last year with a lot of pitchers, maybe not hitters, having to get ready extra fast, and starting before everyone else," Greinke said. "It was just a weird situation last year."