Zack Greinke injury: Opening Day in question

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke will resume playing catch on Friday, but his status for Opening Day is in question, according to Eric Stephen of SB Nation.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding Greinke's elbow, Stephen notes that the Dodgers have explored "different scenarios" for their Opening Day roster in case the former Cy Young Award winner is not available. Manager Don Mattingly admitted that the team doesn't know if Greinke will "be able to make Opening Day."

Friday will mark the first time Greinke will pick up a baseball in a week. He was scratched from Monday's regularly scheduled start due to elbow irritation, and a meeting in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal Elattrache confirmed the right-hander was dealing with inflammation in the joint. While no structural damage was found, Los Angeles opted to shut Greinke down.

The Dodgers refuse to "force anything," according to Mattingly. He told reporters that Greinke won't throw another bullpen session until next week. Stephen notes that the setback will afford Greinke only two more spring starts, at most, prior to Opening Day.

The Dodgers signed Greinke to a six-year, $159 million free agent contract this offseason. The 29-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.77 over nine seasons in the majors.