True Blue LA - Zack Greinke sidelined by right calf strainWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-03-12T11:57:37-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/52225372014-03-12T11:57:37-07:002014-03-12T11:57:37-07:00Greinke to pitch 2 innings vs. Arizona
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>GLENDALE -- <span>Zack Greinke</span> makes his return to the mound on Wednesday afternoon as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> at Camelback Ranch. Greinke last started on Feb. 27, but left that start — also against Arizona — after just four pitches with a right calf strain.</p>
<p>Greinke will be limited to two innings on Wednesday, and will spend the next two weeks building up arm strength to be ready for the regular season.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#C51230" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Diamondbacks</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Campana (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Pennington (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Gregorius (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Jacobs (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Tuiasosopo</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Marte</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Figgins (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Duncan</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Blanco</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Lee</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Greinke</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Camelback Ranch<br><b>Time</b>: 1:05 p.m. PT<br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA (Steiner/Hershiser)<br><b>Radio</b>: KLAC (Monday)<br></span>
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<p>Also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers today are <span>Zach Lee</span>, <span>J.P. Howell</span>, <span>Kenley Jansen</span>, <span>Chris Withrow</span> and Chris Perez. For Howell, Jansen and Perez, they are pitching on one day rest.</p>
<p><span>Michael Lee</span> will start for Arizona, who sent the B team on a split squad day.</p>
<p>Minor leaguers suiting up for the Dodgers today include pitchers <span>Daniel Moskos</span> (No. 47), Craig Stem (96) and <span>Romulo Sanchez</span> (97); infielders <span>Darnell Sweeney</span> (83) and <span>Daniel Mayora</span> (88); and outfielders <span>Scott Schebler</span> (89) and <span>Jamie Romak</span> (90).</p>
<p>With Don Mattingly out a couple of days due to a death in his family, bench coach Tim Wallach is the Dodgers manager today and Thursday. Pat Corrales, who managed nine seasons with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> and is now a special assistant to GM Ned Colletti, will serve as the bench coach for Wallach.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/12/5501244/zack-greinke-back-dodgers-diamondbacksEric Stephen2014-03-11T12:43:27-07:002014-03-11T12:43:27-07:00Pregame notes: Greinke, Van Slyke, replay
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>SURPRISE -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> are in Surprise to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>, but if all goes well back at Camelback Ranch today then <span>Zack Greinke</span> will start for the Dodgers on Wednesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>.</p>
<p>Greinke came out of his Monday bullpen session and fielding drills with no problems. He did more drills on Tuesday morning and if everything is okay after that then he will take the ball in a game for the first time in 13 days.</p>
<p>"He's going to do a few things today. If he can cross those off the list today, we'll try him in a regular game if that all goes good," manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday morning. "If not, we'll be a little more protective and use him on the back fields."</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000572" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Royals</b></font></td>
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<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Figgins (S)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Aoki (L)</td>
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<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Infante</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Butler</td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Maxwell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Valencia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Cain</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Hayes</td>
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<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Haren</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ciriaco</td>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Surprise Stadium<br><b>Time</b>: 1:05 p.m. PT<br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA (Steiner/Hershiser)<br><b>Radio</b>: none<br></span>
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<p>Greinke strained his right calf in a start on Feb. 27 against Arizona and came out of the game after just four pitches. He was tested in fielding drills under the watchful eye of director of medical services Stan Conte.</p>
<p>"It's more the PFP [pitchers fielding practice] movements and probably just a little more intensity, just to make sure that Stan [Conte] is comfortable with him covering first and having to make a play on a bunt, similar to the play J.P. [Howell] made yesterday, that's a full-out run," Mattingly said. "Guys are just going to react and play the game once they get out there in a game setting."</p>
<p>If he is unable to start on Wednesday, the start will likely go to Zach Lee, who started and pitched two innings against Texas on Friday. Lee is a candidate to at least make the trip with the Dodgers to Australia, but not as one of the 25 active players for the games against the Diamondbacks.</p>
<p>Mattingly said on Tuesday that the team will take a starting pitcher not on the roster to start the exhibition game against Team Australia on Thursday, March 20.</p>
<h4>Notes</h4>
<ul>
<li> <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> is starting in center field, a position he last played <strike>in 2010 in Double-A Chattanooga</strike> in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN201310110.shtml">Game 1 of the 2013 NLCS</a>, for all of one inning (<i>h/t Jon Weisman</i>). "We just wanted to see Slyke in center. We've talked about Scott being able to play it, but we just haven't put him out there," Mattingly said. "Today just seemed like the right day to put him out there."<br><br>Asked about possibly playing center field last week, Van Slyke said, "Whatever the situation is, I want to be ready for it."<br><br>
</li>
<li>Today is the second of five games in the Cactus League for the Dodgers with the new instant replay rules in effect. Both managers are allowed to challenge one reviewable play in the first six innings. From the seventh inning on, all reviews must be initiated by the umpiring crew.<br><br>
</li>
<li> <span>Matt Kemp</span> took part in regular workouts and drills on Tuesday but did not play in any simulated or intrasquad, a planned day off.<br><br>
</li>
<li>Neither <span>Andre Ethier</span> nor <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> made the trip to Surprise today, but Mattingly said both would play each of the last five days of Cactus League play.<br><br>
</li>
<li> <span>Alexander Guerrero</span> made the trip to Surprise and will likely play second base after today's starter <span>Justin Turner</span> departs.<br><br>
</li>
<li>Also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers after starter <span>Dan Haren</span> today are <span>Jose Dominguez</span>, <span>Javy Guerra</span>, Paco Rodrigeuz, <span>Chris Withrow</span>, <span>Jamey Wright</span>.<br><br>
</li>
<li>Up from the minor league side in uniform for the Dodgers today are pitchers Daniel Coulombe (No. 83), <span>Sam Demel</span> (38), and Craig Stem (96); catchers Kyle Farmer (88) and <span>Webster Rivas</span> (89); infielders <span>Darnell Sweeney</span> (84) and <span>Daniel Mayora</span> (91); and outfielders <span>Noel Cuevas</span> (92), <span>Trayvon Robinson</span> (93) and <span>Aaron Bates</span> (95).</li>
</ul>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/11/5496706/zack-greinke-instant-replay-dodgers-royalsEric Stephen2014-03-10T12:43:23-07:002014-03-10T12:43:23-07:00Greinke throws bullpen session, Wed. start in play
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greinke threw a bullpen session and took part in fielding drills on Monday morning at Camelback Ranch.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> on a relatively uneventful Monday, but most of the news came on the back fields at Camelback Ranch. <span>Zack Greinke</span> threw a bullpen session on Monday morning and if all goes well after his fielding drills he could get the start on Wednesday against Arizona.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#00483a" width="125"><font color="#ffbe00"><b>Athletics</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Burns (S)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Punto (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Donaldson</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Cespedes</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Callaspo (S)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Taylor</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Gimenez</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Fuld (L)</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Federowicz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Elmore</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Ryu</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Camelback Ranch<br><b>Time</b>: 1:05 p.m. PT<br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA (Steiner/Hershiser)<br><b>Radio</b>: none<br></span>
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<p>Greinke, depending on how his calf feels after Monday's efforts, could start Wednesday either against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> or in a simulated game. The other option to start Wendesday's Cactus League contest is <span>Zach Lee</span>, who last started on Friday.</p>
<p>"It's kind of up in the air with [Greinke]," manager Don Mattingly said. "If everybody feels like he's safer one way or another, we'll go that way."</p>
<p>On the mound for the Dodgers on Monday is Hyun-jin Ryu, who is expected to throw roughly 75 pitches, maybe a few more against Oakland. If Ryu lasts five innings, there won't be enough frames left over for the remaining relievers to all throw a full inning, but scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers today in relief are they money men in the bullpen: <span>Kenley Jansen</span>, <span>Brian Wilson</span>, <span>J.P. Howell</span>, <span>Chris Perez</span> and <span>Brandon League</span>.</p>
<p><span>Dee Gordon</span> gets the start at second base, his third start at the position in the last four days. If you're keeping track, Gordon has played 40 Cactus League innings at second base compared to 31 for <span>Alex Guerrero</span>, and that's before Monday (in terms of Cactus League plate appearances, the team leaders are <span>Chone Figgins</span> with 28, Gordon and Dee Baxter with 27, and Guerrero with 26).</p>
<p>Today's game features leadoff hitters for both teams that are the top two base stealers in spring training so far. Gordon is 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts to lead baseball, while A's non-roster center field speedster <span>Billy Burns</span>, acquired in December from Washington for southpaw relief pitcher <span>Jerry Blevins</span>, is 7-for-9 in would-be thefts.</p>
<p>Mattingly thought it was a bit too early to address whether Gordon, if (when) he makes the team might bat leadoff in games he starts.</p>
<p>"We'll see if we get there. We're in hypotheticals, but we'll try a combination of guys, with Carl, Yasiel and if Dee's part of that equation," Mattingly said. "We've been talking a little bit more about the lineup, where we would like to go with it, righty-lefty."</p>
<p>Guerrero on Monday went with <span>Matt Kemp</span> to get more at-bats in an intrasquad game on the minor league side.</p>
<p>For the first time all spring the Dodgers' lineup card did not also include scheduled reserves. Mattingly said he would try to get most of the regulars an extra at-bat here and there when he can.</p>
<p><span>Blake Smith</span>, the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2009 out of Berkeley, is in uniform from the minor league side for today's game, wearing No. 94. He converted from outfielder to the mound in 2013, and the right-hander put up a 7.78 ERA in 21 games in relief for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in his first year on the mound, with 19 walks and 12 strikeouts in 19... innings.</p>
<p>Other minor leaguers in uniform for the Dodgers today include pitcher Juan Gonzalez (No. 95) and outfielders <span>Jon Garcia</span> (88), <span>Jacob Scavuzzo</span> (89) and <span>Trayvon Robinson</span> (90).</p>
<p><span>Jarrod Parker</span> starts on the mound for Oakland. Other A's pitchers who made the trip are <span>Joe Savery</span>, <span>Luke Gregerson</span>, <span>Philip Humber</span>, <span>Matt Buschmann</span>, <span>Dan Otero</span>, <span>Arnold Leon</span> and <span>Deryk Hooker</span>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/10/5491048/zack-greinke-bullpen-session-dodgers-athleticsEric Stephen2014-03-09T11:54:00-07:002014-03-09T11:54:00-07:00Greinke closer to game action
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<img alt="Zack Greinke threw roughly 85 pitches on Saturday." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HBtss8qwPhvzxGStZ6QOpqdIuEc=/0x324:2039x1683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29752827/zack-greinke-simulated-game-030814.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Zack Greinke threw roughly 85 pitches on Saturday. | David Young | True Blue LA</figcaption>
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<p>Greinke has been limited to bullpen sessions and simulated games since straining his right calf on Feb. 27, but could pitch in a game this week.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- <span>Zack Greinke</span> continues to progress from his strained right calf and could see game action as early as this week. The right-hander will throw another bullpen session on Monday, manager Don Mattingly said on Sunday.</p>
<p>"Assuming everything goes well the next couple of days, we'll make a decision about where he's going to pitch after that," Mattingly said.</p>
<p>Greinke threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday, then followed that up with 35 more pitches in a simulated game pitching to <span>Matt Kemp</span> and Scott Schebler. Afterward, Greinke said his calf still wasn't 100% but he was happy with how he was throwing.</p>
<p>After Greinke's bullpen session Monday, he will need to do some work in the field - essentially pitcher's fielding practice (or PFP) - before getting cleared to pitch in a game. It was thought previously Greinke would first pitch in a game on the back fields, but a Cactus League start could be in the cards.</p>
<p>Mattingly wasn't quite ready to commit to that just yet.</p>
<p>"Other stuff has to happen in between there, as far as him getting on the field, doing PFP work. If that would go well, we can make a determination," Mattingly said. "I just don't want to go that far ahead."</p>
<p>Greinke said on Saturday that he could outrun <span>A.J. Ellis</span> but said he wasn't able to beat <span>Dee Gordon</span> ... yet. Mattingly wasn't convinced about the implication that at some point Greinke would be able to outrun Gordon, joking, "After Dee blows up a knee or breaks a leg or something? That is not happening."</p>
<p>It hasn't been announced yet, but Greinke is a lock to stay behind in Arizona when the team heads to Australia, likely pitching in minor league games to get ready for the season. The Dodgers could choose to have him open up the season on the disabled list with a retroactive date as far back as March 19, putting him in line to start as early as the home opener on April 4. But Mattingly said it was too soon to make such plans.</p>
<p>"It's too early for me," Mattingly said. "Right now we're pretty optimistic that everything is going good."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/9/5488120/zack-greinke-rehab-dodgersEric Stephen2014-03-05T16:45:10-08:002014-03-05T16:45:10-08:00Greinke throws bullpen session
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>For the first time in six days, Dodgers starter Zack Greinke threw off a mound, still dealing with a strained right calf.</p> <p>GOODYEAR -- <span>Zack Greinke</span> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>.</p>
<p>After five straight days of throwing only off flat ground, Greinke threw for a few minutes off a mound at Camelback Ranch before the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' night game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> at Goodyear Ballpark.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ff0000" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Reds</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Hamilton (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Phillips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Votto (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Ludwick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Bruce (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Pederson (L)</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Frazier</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Guerrero</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Cozart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Federowicz</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Pena (S)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Rojas</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Duran</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Camelback Ranch<br><b>Time</b>: 12:05 p.m. PT<br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA (Steiner/Hershiser)<br>MLB Network<br><b>Radio</b>: KLAC (Monday/Garciaparra)<br></span>
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<p>"He was pretty light today, he'll go again tomorrow," manager Don Mattingly said. "Depending on how that goes, we'll go from there."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<h4>Wednesday night</h4>
<p><span>Hyun-Jin Ryu</span> 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 <span>Jose Dominguez</span>, <span>Javy Guerra</span>, <span>Matt Magill</span>, <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> and Carlos Frias.</p>
<p><span>Alexander Guerrero</span> gets the start at second base, and <span>Dee Gordon</span> 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.</p>
<p>Scheduled reserves for the Dodgers tonight include <span>Mike Baxter</span> in right field, JC Boscan at designated hitter, <span>Justin Turner</span> at second base, <span>Drew Butera</span> at catcher and <span>Brendan Harris</span> at shortstop.</p>
<p>Dodgers minor leaguers in uniform tonight are left-handed pitcher <span>Fu-Te Ni</span> (No. 86), infielders <span>Darnell Sweeney</span> (87), <span>Daniel Mayora</span> (88) and <span>Aaron Bates</span> (95), and outfielders <span>Jon Garcia</span> (89)Jeremy Hazelbaker (90) and <span>Scott Schebler</span> (91).</p>
<p><span>Homer Bailey</span> starts for the Reds, and among the others available to pitch are <span>Jeff Francis</span>, <span>Sam LeCure</span>, <span>Manny Parra</span>, <span>J.J. Hoover</span>, <span>Pedro Beato</span>, <span>Trevor Bell</span> and <span>Daniel Corcino</span>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/5/5475528/zack-greinke-bullpen-session-dodgers-redsEric Stephen2014-03-03T16:08:38-08:002014-03-03T16:08:38-08:00Greinke ruled out for Australia
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>No date has been set for Greinke's next bullpen session nor his next start, and dates are running out before the Dodgers head to Australia.</p> <p>PHOENIX -- This isn't exactly earth-shattering news, but it appears <span>Zack Greinke</span> won't be ready to pitch for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in Australia. The right-hander continues to improve from a right calf strain that forced him out of his first Cactus League start on Thursday, but there simply isn't enough time for Greinke to build up his pitch count to be ready on March 22-23 in Sydney, when the Dodgers play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in two regular season games.</p>
<p>"He can't be in the mix if you're thinking as a 90-pitch guy," manager Don Mattingly said on Monday afternoon. "This setback is just what we talked about. You miss a pen, you miss an outing and the next thing you know you're off schedule."</p>
<p>Greinke threw just four pitches in his Thursday start against Arizona, and has played catch on flat ground every day since. He threw as long as 120 feet on Monday morning, and says his calf feels better.</p>
<p>"He feels better today. We still haven't really scheduled a bullpen. I think he's getting a little more confident. You could see it just talking to him in the morning," Mattingly said. "As we know, Zack's pretty honest, so if he says it's feeling better it usually feels better. Now we just wait."</p>
<p>The Dodgers don't have a timetable for Greinke's next start, but he will need to throw a bullpen session before said start, and we aren't even yet at that point. Mattingly has said that Greinke's next start, whenever it is, will be on the back fields at Camelback Ranch in a more controlled environment.</p>
<p>Leaving Greinke behind in Arizona when the Dodgers fly to Australia on the night of March 16 would allow him to continue to progress by pitching in minor league games, possibly getting ready for when the Dodgers open the domestic portion of their regular season on March 30 in San Diego. If <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> starts the opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, the earliest Greinke would pitch is April 1 in the second game of the series at Petco Park.</p>
<p>The Dodgers can backdate disabled list stints as early as March 19, making the first game available for players who open the season on the DL the home opener on April 4 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. If Greinke avoids a DL trip, he would likely occupy one of the three exempt spots (ineligible to play in Sydney) on the 28-man roster the Dodgers must submit to MLB by 7 p.m. PT on March 21, six hours before their regular season opener down under.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/3/5467816/zack-greinke-out-australia-dodgersEric Stephen2014-03-02T11:07:36-08:002014-03-02T11:07:36-08:00Still no timetable for Greinke's return
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greinke on Sunday played catch off flat ground for a third straight day after suffering a mild right calf strain in his first Cactus League start.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> pitcher <span>Zack Greinke</span> played catch off flat ground on Sunday, but there remains to timetable nor any date set for his return to the mound. The team is playing in extremely cautious with Greinke, who suffered a mild right calf strain on Thursday.</p>
<p>Manager Don Mattingly said on Saturday that Greinke's next start won't be in the Cactus League but rather in a controlled environment on the back fields, where the Dodgers can control and limit the amount of activity for his calf. But before he can make that start, Greinke will need to throw a bullpen session first.</p>
<p>"We're still going to be cautious with him going forward. We're trying to keep timetables out of it, just when he's ready to throw a pen we'll be able to go forward," Mattingly said. "We're going to be cautious with him, keep his arm moving without having to put any stress on the leg."</p>
<p>Greinke left his first Cactus League start after just four pitches and two batters against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> on Thursday at Camelback Ranch. He has played catch off flat ground for each of the last three days.</p>
<p>The team hasn't officially ruled Greinke out for the Australia trip, though it seems impossible for him to have enough time to build up his pitch count by March 22-23 to be able to last long in a regular season game. Even the most aggressive timetable would involve a bullpen session Monday and a start maybe on Thursday, giving him only three starts before the trip.</p>
<p>But given there is no date yet set even for a bullpen session, the more prudent course of action would have Greinke remain in Arizona when the team flies to Sydney so he can make two or maybe three extra starts in minor league or exhibition games while preparing for a date closer to April 1, the Dodgers' second game of a three-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> in San Diego.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/3/2/5463184/zack-greinke-calf-strain-dodgers-cautious-no-timetableEric Stephen2014-02-28T15:30:49-08:002014-02-28T15:30:49-08:00Greinke scratched from Saturday bullpen session
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The next start for Greinke is to be determined.</p> <p>GLENDALE -- After <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/2/28/5457366/zack-greinke-injury-bullpen-sesson-dodgers">playing catch on Friday</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> pitcher <span>Zack Greinke</span> was ruled out of a planned Saturday bullpen session, still feeling the effects of a right calf strain, manager Don Mattingly said.</p>
<p>Greinke continued to feel discomfort in his right calf when testing it. There is no timetable for his next bullpen session, but he will play catch again on Saturday.</p>
<p>"We just have to watch him. We talked about being smart. We don't have a date yet with the calf, I know he's feeling something in there," Mattingly said. "If he wasn't feeling anything, it would be one thing. There's enough of a feeling in there. Guys know."</p>
<p>The injury likely rules out Greinke for his next scheduled start on Tuesday vs. the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> at Camelback Ranch. It makes it difficult for Greinke to get three more starts in during Cactus League play (he could conceivably pitch on March 6, March 11 and March 16, for instance), and this puts his status for Australia on March 22-23 further in doubt.</p>
<p>Though Mattingly wouldn't immediately rule anything out.</p>
<p>"Obviously it puts being built up to 90 pitches in jeopardy, but I don't think it necessarily rules him out of Australia at this point," he said.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/2/28/5458384/zack-greinke-injury-dodgers-bullpen-scratchedEric Stephen