The Los Angeles Dodgers insist there's no reason for alarm, but it's difficult to have any other reaction after the team announced that starter Zack Greinke received a lubricating injection in his elbow earlier in the week. As a result, Greinke will not throw off a mound this weekend, but is expected to resume a regular routine in the coming days, since apparently the injection itself is also a part of his normal spring training routine.
"It's pretty much been a common spring thing since we've had him," manager Don Mattingly said early Saturday concerning the injection.
How common? According to Mattingly, Greinke has received the injection in each of his three seasons with the Dodgers. So far, it hasn't been an issue though. Aside from Greinke missing a month early in the 2013 season with a broken collarbone suffered in an on-field altercation with Carlos Quentin of the San Diego Padres, Greinke has made all of his starts and posted a sub-2.71 ERA each year.
As the Dodgers suggest, it probably really is nothing to be concerned about. But just the fact he's needed the injection three straight seasons to get started makes it at least worth monitoring. Besides, anytime you hear something related to a pitcher's elbow or shoulder, it's worth watching until the all clear sign is given. That sounds like it should come in relatively short order for Greinke.
All things considered though, this is definitely a big season for the 31-year-old right-hander on a personal level. After signing a six-year, $147 million contract before the 2013 season, Greinke has the option to void the deal following the season and re-enter the free-agent market. With a Dodgers' extension highly unlikely, Greinke says he's content holding off on that decision until after the season. Obviously though, health could prove to be a factor in that decision, so that's yet another angle to this potentially developing story.
If Greinke proves healthy, then it might just come down to how the Dodgers perform. If you recall, about this time three weeks ago Greinke sounded far less than impressed by the offseason authored by Andrew Freidman and the revamped front office. With winning also apparently a big part of Greinke's equation, the Dodgers might need another deep postseason run just to keep his interest.
It's also worth noting that the Dodgers signed free agent starter Brandon Beachy to a one-year deal on Saturday with an option for 2016. Beachy will begin on the season the disabled list after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, so while the signing is in no way related to Greinke's health now, Beachy could be an option for Los Angeles if Greinke leaves down the road.
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