LOS ANGELES– Zack Greinkes ailing best arm is structurally sound and the Houston Astros are still confident that he can contribute again at some point this postseason, manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday morning, hours before Game 3 of their American League Division Series.
Greinke, who hasnt pitched because Game 1 of the wild-card series 8 days earlier, threw about 15 pitches off flat ground at low strength after Tuesdays 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics, then spent a long time chatting with Astros pitching coach Brent Strom. Strom informed Baker that the session went “quite good,” according to Baker.
2 RelatedIf the Astros win Wednesday and advance to their fourth consecutive AL Championship Series, they will have three days off before the start of the next round at Petco Park in San Diego. Baker also didnt rule out the possibility of Greinke beginning in the ALDS if it gets extended.
Greinke, 36, hasnt completed 6 innings given that Sept. 8 and has a 5.79 ERA over his past 4 starts. Baker stated after Tuesdays game that Greinke is handling “some discomfort in his arm” however didnt go into further information.
The ailment belongs to why the Astros offered the Game 3 start to Jose Urquidy, who has permitted only 8 earned runs over his past 30 1/3 innings.
” Im hoping that we win todays video game and then well have a few day of rests to rehab and attempt to feel much better before next [round],” Baker stated. “But we have to win this game first.”
