Zack Greinke was scratched from his spring training start for the Dodgers on Monday, went to Los Angeles and was diagnosed with inflammation in the back of his right elbow. The Dodgers said the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and that an MRI in Arizona last week “showed there was no structural damage to the ligaments or tendons of the elbow.”
Greinke, signed to a $147 million, six-year contract in December as a free agent, received an injection of platelet-rich plasma and anti-inflammatory medication, according to the team. The Dodgers said the right-hander will rest for two to three days and then go on a progressive throwing program.
“The fact that he’s not here is a little bit of a concern,” manager Don Mattingly said before the Dodgers played Milwaukee.
No thanks, Yankees
Chipper Jones putting on pinstripes? The banged-up New York Yankees would love to have him. General Manager Brian Cashman even said so, expressing interest in the retired Atlanta Braves star.
“He’d be perfect,” Cashman said at camp in Tampa. “I’d take Larry in a heartbeat. I think everybody would.”
The eight-time All-Star third baseman — better known by his nickname than actual first name — quickly ended such talk.
“Enough with the rumors!” Jones tweeted. “While I am flattered about the speculation of being enticed out of retirement, I’m happy with life as a bad golfer!”
MRI on Markakis
Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis was scheduled to have an MRI and hopes the neck spasms that he has been coping with aren’t anything serious. Markakis was taken out of the lineup on March 3 and hasn’t played since. He had three surgeries in 2012 and missed the Orioles’ first postseason appearance in 15 years with a broken thumb.
He said Sunday he thinks the MRI is “probably more of a precaution to see what’s going on in there and identify exactly what it is that’s bothering me.”
Rays trim roster
The Tampa Bay Rays trimmed their spring roster to 54 players by optioning five pitchers to the minor leagues and reassigning three others to minor-league camp.
