Advertisement

Zack Greinke to pitch for Dodgers on Wednesday

Share

The Dodgers are sending Zack Greinke back to the mound Wednesday night, more than three weeks ahead of his scheduled return from a fractured left clavicle. But the right-hander said he’ll be pitching with some restrictions.

“I know they don’t want me running into people,” Greinke said. “But it’s not a common thing that you run into someone.”

The Dodgers’ caution is understandable given that they signed Greinke to a $147-million free-agent contract in the off-season, then watched him go on the disabled list after his second start when he was knocked hard to the turf by the San Diego Padres’ Carlos Quentin during a bench-clearing brawl.

But with the Dodgers struggling — the team began Tuesday having lost nine of its last 11 games — they decided to rush Greinke back into the rotation after only one abbreviated rehab start.

Advertisement

“He feels like he’s ready. His stuff kind of tells us he’s ready. And it’s not like he’s going to get anything more out of a minor league start,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “It should be pretty much a normal game.”

Greinke agreed.

“I don’t know how long it will take to be 100% crisp. But I feel good,” he said. “There’s nothing holding me back. So I’m ready to pitch.”

The Dodgers will have to make a roster move Wednesday to clear a spot for Greinke and one of the options being consider is putting right-hander Josh Beckett on the disabled list. Beckett, who lasted only three innings Monday, is 0-5 with a 5.19 earned-run average. Mattingly said Beckett tweaked his groin during the game.

He’s booked up

Former DodgerTalk radio-show host Josh Suchon will be at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday to sign copies of his new book “Miracle Men,” a look at the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship team.

Suchon, now a broadcaster for the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, will be at the right-field store from 5:10 p.m. until the end of the third inning.

Short hops

Advertisement

Infielder Mark Ellis ran the bases for the first time since going on the disabled list because of a strained right quadriceps. Barring a setback, he will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with double-A Chattanooga and could be back with the Dodgers by the start of next week. ... Utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., who is being treated for a groin strain, will play in a simulated game in Arizona on Thursday. Depending on how that goes, the team will make a decision on where Hairston will play next. He is not eligible to come off the DL until next week. ... Left-hander Ted Lilly will make a rehab start Wednesday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. ... The Dodgers are talking to left-hander Jonathan Sanchez about a minor league contract. Sanchez, an eight-year veteran, was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates this month.

kevin.baxter@latimes.com

Twitter: @kbaxter11

Times staff writer Dylan Hernandez contributed to this report.

Advertisement