Diamondbacks say Greinke’s spring training arrival will be delayed,
Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers took the field for their first workout of spring training on Wednesday morning. And they did so without their ace.
Right-hander Zack Greinke was not listed on the workout schedule posted in the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse at Salt River Fields. His locker looked undisturbed. It turns out there’s a good reason.
Greinke asked for and was granted a couple of extra days to report to camp, the team said. He is not hurt — he has been throwing bullpen sessions, including one Tuesday when he got up to 40 pitches — he just wanted some extra time.
Greinke still is expected to take the ball on Opening Day on March 28 when the Diamondbacks face the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and General Manager Mike Hazen were scheduled to meet with the media after the workout, at which point they are expected to address Greinke’s situation.
Joseph added
The Diamondbacks signed catcher Caleb Joseph to a one-year contract, giving them another veteran to add to their catching mix.
Joseph, 32, received a split contract that will pay him $1.1 million when he’s in the majors and $250,000 in the minors.
The Diamondbacks already have three catchers who are expected to be on the Opening Day roster in Alex Avila, Carson Kelly and John Ryan Murphy.
Joseph has minor league options remaining.
Joseph has spent his entire career in the Baltimore Orioles organization, playing parts of five seasons in the majors. He’s a career .224 hitter in 1,217 at-bats.
Ready to go
Outfielder Jarrod Dyson said he’s fully recovered from the core surgery he underwent in September and doesn’t expect to have any limitations in spring training.
Dyson’s procedure was actually his second such surgery in as many years. In September 2017, he had surgery to repair a sports hernia injury.
Dyson is expected to serve as the club’s fourth outfielder.