Swelling in shoulder probably means Greinke’s season is over
Diamondbacks ace would finish year with 4.37 ERA
BALTIMORE – Though Zack Greinke’s shoulder issues are not said to be a long-term concern, the Diamondbacks still are likely to shut down their high-priced right-hander for rest of the season, manager Chip Hale said.
“I know we were happy with the MRI results,” Hale said. “It’s just swelling in there. You can’t really go full speed until the swelling gets out, so it’s hard to say he’s going to be able to start.”
That effectively brings an end to a disappointing first season with the Diamondbacks for Greinke, who, compared to his previous three seasons with the Dodgers, saw his numbers trend in the wrong direction.
Greinke’s early-season results seemed to set the tone for the Diamondbacks’ awful season. Brought in to lead a pitching staff in need of help at the top of the rotation, Greinke stumbled out of the gate, posting a 6.16 ERA in his first six starts.
He subsequently threw well for two months before missing six weeks with a left oblique strain, then struggled again upon returning, allowing a 6.02 ERA in his final nine starts, with much of the damage coming in two disastrous outings against the Red Sox and Dodgers.
“Obviously, the results have not been what we thought they were going to be with Zack – his pitching or our ballclub,” Hale said. “As a whole, we’re not satisfied, but I think the attitude he brought to the club and just kept fighting, which I think this group has fought to the end, is something that we appreciate. We do expect more next year from everybody, including Zack.”
Greinke's hits, home runs and walks allowed went up compared to previous seasons. He struck out fewer than he did the past two years. His ERA swelled, going from 1.66 last year and 2.30 in three seasons with the Dodgers to 4.37 this year.
Hale intimated that the shoulder problems came out of nowhere. He said Greinke went from offering to throw another inning in his start on Wednesday night in San Diego to feeling stiffness in his shoulder after the game, a development that concerned the Diamondbacks enough that they had him return to Phoenix for tests rather than accompany the team to Baltimore.
Hale said Greinke had not dealt with any significant shoulder problems at any point this season.
“Nothing more than just the normal care they always do with the shoulders and arms and all the exercises they do,” Hale said, adding that the MRI revealed no structural damage.
Greinke hasn’t spent time on the disabled list because of arm problems at any point in his 13-year career.
“Not at all,” Hale said when asked if he thinks the shoulder will be an issue in the coming years. “He’ll be fine.”
The Diamondbacks certainly hope that’s the case. They’re still on the hook for what’s left of the six-year, $206.5 million deal they gave him in December.