Greinke throws bullpen session
HOUSTON — Zack Greinke rejoined the Astros and threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park before Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, but the team is still unsure when he will slot back into the rotation.
Greinke remains on the injured list because of “health and safety protocols” — the Astros’ description for the COVID-19 related injured list — but received clearance Friday to work out among his teammates.
The Astros have refused to specify why Greinke went on the injured list, but manager Dusty Baker said the veteran righthander is “probably not too far off” following his 10-day absence.
“He knows how to stay ready,” Baker said. “We’re not worried about him too much.”
Greinke did not address reporters after his bullpen session but told a team official he will speak before Saturday’s game. By then, the Astros could have a better understanding of when Greinke could return to their starting rotation. Baker said next week’s fourgame series against the Texas Rangers is “a possibility.”
Baker and pitching coach Brent Strom face a slight conundrum when Greinke does return. Friday’s game against the Angels started a run of 17 consecutive games without an off day.
Before Greinke went to the injured list, Houston planned to deploy a sixman starting rotation during the grueling stretch. Baker did not recommit to the six-man configuration Friday, but it seems the most logical choice to manage the workload.
Greinke led the American League with 1592⁄3 innings pitched when he went on the injured list last month. He allowed six earned runs in four innings to a woeful Rangers lineup Aug. 29 during his last start.
“Who knows, this could have been a blessing in disguise to get his strength back and limit his innings,” Baker said. “We’ll see. We certainly missed having him around, missed his presence not only on the field but in the dugout.”
Odds and ends
Top Astros catching prospect Korey Lee returned to Class AA Corpus Christi’s lineup on Thursday for the first time in nearly a month. Lee suffered a mild oblique strain last month and spent time on the minor league injured list. …. After fracturing his left pinky finger on July 26, touted prospect Pedro Leon has resumed baseball activities and working out at the Astros’ spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.