Dodgers’ Zack Greinke is not sharp but comes out healthy in return

You want sharp, buy a Henckels. Try and match wits with P.J. O’Rourke. Read Jim Murray.

Right now the Dodgers just need Zack Greinke to build some arm strength, and all that sharpness can come later.

Greinke threw only four pitches this spring before a strained calf forced him to the sideline. He finally made his second appearance Wednesday, and if he wasn’t completely sharp, that was understandable and fine.

He came out of his two-inning appearance against the Diamondbacks healthy and went on to throw a simulated inning in the bullpen.

“The two main goals are getting healthy and try to get ready,” Greinke said. “Right now, I’m neither one of those quite yet. Closer on the calf than the actual pitching good.”

Greinke was charged with three runs on six hits in the Dodgers’ 9-2 loss to the Diamondbacks at Camelback. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

The calf injury had already cost him enough camp time that he was scratched from starting one of the Dodgers’ first two regular-season games in Australia. That gives him an extra week to get in shape for his first start, which could be the following week in San Diego.

Greinke said he was happy with how his calf responded but disappointed by his location. He expects to take his next regular turn and wants to be ready for the Padres.

“Ideally, but still a ways to go,” he said.

“I know [the calf]’s there. I know if I did something more than it’s ready to do, it’d be right back to where it started. Maybe I can do something complete, but I have to slowly, gradually build up to that. I don’t know if I could run full speed. I might be able to, but it’s not worth the risk.”

Greinke is expected to remain back at camp when the team flies to Sydney on Sunday and continue pitching in minor-league games. He could make three more spring starts.

Zach Lee followed Greinke, pitched two strong innings and then was charged with four runs (three earned) in his third inning. Reliever Chris Perez gave up his first two runs of the spring in his fifth appearance.

Andre Ethier, one of the few regulars hitting, drilled a two-run, first-inning double to account for the Dodgers’ runs.