After his first pitch of the day on Wednesday afternoon – a fastball on the outer half for a called strike – Zack Greinke stole a glance at the video board at Salt River Fields: pitch speed, 88 mph.
For the second time in as many starts this spring, the Diamondbacks’ high-priced ace exhibited a fastball a few ticks below its usual range. He also was hit hard, allowing six hits in 2 2/3 innings in an exhibition against Mexico’s entry for the World Baseball Classic.
A year ago, Greinke was topping at 93 mph in his second start of the spring.