HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- A day after Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. faced off in a simulated game, Zack Greinke took the mound for a live batting practice at Minute Maid Park Friday, marking the first time he's faced hitters since the Astros returned from the Covid-19 shutdown.
"I think he threw the ball good," Astros catcher Martin Maldonado said. "Down in the zone like he normally is. Using good changeups, a couple of good sliders, and when he was warming in the bullpen he was really good. Pretty much in the bottom of the strike zone, and pretty much his (velocity) was what it normally was during the season."
Greinke threw around 20 pitches to multiple Astros regulars, including George Springer, Josh Reddick, and Yuli Gurriel.
"He was throwing strikes," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "He had good command, especially for a guy who hadn't been out there much."
After finishing his outing, Greinke threw a ball off the wall in foul territory down the leftfield line, which was his routine every day at home during the shutdown, and in usual Greinke fashion was quite understated when asked to evaluate his outing.
"It was ok. Some good, some bad. I guess not much bad, just some good, some not as good."
The 36-year old said he never thought about sitting out of the 2020 season, but for a pitcher who has always taken pride in his ability to hit, Greinke seemed disappointed in Major League Baseball opting for a universal designated.
"That's not really any of my business, I guess, but I like hitting. I'd rather go back and play a position if I was allowed to, but I'm better at pitching, so people have me pitch."
