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Lovullo: Greinke 'not in the mix to start Opening Day' for D-Backs

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Zack Greinke won't make his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Arizona Diamondbacks when their season gets underway against the Colorado Rockies on March 29, according to manager Torey Lovullo.

"I would say Zack (Greinke) is not in the mix to start Opening Day," Lovullo told reporters Monday, according to MLB.com's Owen Perkins.

Greinke was pulled from a contest March 14 after experiencing tightness in his groin, which has shifted his schedule heading into the 2018 campaign.

As it stands, the 34-year-old, who's slated to pitch in a spring contest Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, should start the third game of the Diamondbacks' regular season on March 31.

If not for the groin issue, Greinke would've been the Opening Day starter, Lovullo added.

"Every staff has a number one, and he fits the bill perfectly," he said of his ace. "He started last year. He won 17 games last year. He was our staff ace. He carried us numerous times in numerous situations, and he would have deserved the Opening Day start."

Lovullo isn't ready to name an Opening Day starter, but his options include All-Star left-hander Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, Patrick Corbin, and Zack Godley.

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