D-backs' Greinke exits spring start with groin tightness

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke exited his spring training start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday because of tightness in his right groin.

Greinke left after allowing a hit and striking out two in a scoreless first inning. He was slated to go five innings in the outing.

"I was kind of tight all day, but I felt it more so just walking off the mound the last inning," Greinke said, via MLB.com. "The first step I took, I felt it, so I don't know if it was the last pitch or if there was a couple pitches and just didn't realize it until afterwards. It seems pretty small at the moment, so hopefully not a long-term thing."

Considered the D-backs' ace, Greinke had yet to be named the team's Opening Day starter after he expressed concern with his velocity following an outing against minor leaguers last week. Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that removing Greinke was a precautionary decision and his potential availability for the regular-season opener shouldn't be affected.

"[Greinke staying on schedule] would be the best-case scenario, but we'll use precaution," Lovullo said. "We're not going to force-feed anything here and make him go out there and perform just to jam 50 or 60 pitches down his throat. We want to make sure that he's OK."

Velocity was also a concern for Greinke last spring before he went 17-7 with a 3.20 ERA and 215 strikeouts in 202 1/3 regular-season innings, placing fourth in the National League Cy Young vote.

Greinke has pitched in two games this spring, allowing one run on four hits in 2 2/3 innings. If he isn't ready to pitch by Opening Day, fellow 2017 All-Star Robbie Ray would likely get the nod for the D-backs.

"Something like this usually happens to me early in camp almost every year, and this year it just took a little longer," Greinke said. "It'd be better if it was a little earlier, but hopefully it's small enough that it doesn't make a difference in things."

--Field Level Media