Zack Greinke has inflamed elbow, gets injection

Zack Greinke was scratched from his spring training start for the Dodgers on Monday, went to Los Angeles and was diagnosed with inflammation in the back of his right elbow.

The Dodgers said the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and that an MRI in Arizona last week "showed there was no structural damage to the ligaments or tendons of the elbow."

Greinke, signed to a $147 million, six-year contract in December as a free agent, received an injection of platelet-rich plasma and anti-inflammatory medication, according to the team. The Dodgers said the right-hander will rest for two to three days and then go on a progressive throwing program.

"I've seen (Dodgers president) Stan Kasten here and it sounds like really positive," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He had the MRI and there was nothing on it. You had to feel like there was some tendinitis or something going on. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it wasn't anything major.

"(Greinke) tells you the truth. When he tells us the truth and then it goes into when a guy signs a deal he signs it goes into ultra-caution at this point in spring training," Mattingly added. So I think everybody is being cautious and he's being truthful and they want to make sure."

Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu replaced Greinke as Monday's starter.

The 29-year-old Greinke was 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 212 1-3 innings last year for the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels.

Mattingly said Greinke did not ask to be examined Monday, but it was the club's choice.

"Again, it's to relieve your mind and maybe ours," Mattingly said. "He just kept telling us he was feeling something. When that happens, they are going to make decisions."

Greinke has pitched five innings in two spring training starts, missing one turn because of flu. He was sidelined for the first month of the 2011 season because of a broken rib, an injury sustained while playing pickup basketball during the off-season.

Mattingly said the medical staff would "tell us what we need to do" as far as Greinke's throwing program.

"I'm assuming he's going to be pretty close to what he was when he left off," Mattingly said.