Zack Greinke Has Rib Injury, Will Miss Beginning Of Season

When the Brewers traded a package of talent to the Royals in exchange for Zack Greinke, they were doing so to acquire an ace. Greinke was to lead a rotation that also includes Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum, and shortly after the deal was made, the Brewers announced that Greinke would get the ball on Opening Day.

Well, now there's bad news. Greinke had some early workouts pushed back this spring due to a rib injury. Eventually he made his way to the mound and started a couple games, but he wasn't quite himself, and now the Brewers are saying that Greinke will miss his first few starts of the regular season with a rib injury.

As it turns out, Greinke fractured a rib while playing basketball and going after a rebound. An MRI revealed the hairline fracture, and according to reports, the rib will take about 4-6 weeks to heal. The current timetable, then, is that Greinke will miss his first three starts.

That timetable obviously isn't set in stone, but what is set in stone is that Greinke will not be healthy enough to get the nod in the opener. That honor will now likely go to Gallardo. For more on Greinke and the Brewers, be sure to check out Brew Crew Ball.