Arizona Diamondbacks

Zack Greinke ruled out for Opening Day

Published Mar. 19, 2018 4:22 p.m. ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo says Zack Greinke won't be the team's opening-day starter.

Lovullo, speaking before Monday's spring training game against the Chicago White Sox, said the tightness that Greinke experienced in his groin in his latest start last Wednesday led him to rule out his ace for his usual opening-day role.

If there had been no health issue, Lovullo said, Greinke would be Arizona's opening-day starter for the third straight season. He was a 17-game winner last season.

Lovullo said he's not ready to name the starter for the March 29 opener at home against Colorado, although Robbie Ray would seem to be a logical alternative.

The Diamondbacks don't believe Greinke's issue is serious. The right-hander said he felt good after a bullpen session on Sunday and he is scheduled to start Wednesday against San Francisco.