D-backs' Lovullo rules out Greinke as opening-day starter

Torey Lovullo is optimistic after he watched Zack Greinke’s roughly 46-pitch bullpen session Sunday. Nothing for sure yet, but Greinke could end up starting 3rd game of regular season. @Dbacks still not announcing opening day starter. pic.twitter.com/6HScar8dCB

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 18, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo says Zack Greinke won't be the team's opening-day starter.

Lovullo, speaking before Monday's spring training game against the Chicago White Sox, said the tightness that Greinke experienced in his groin in his latest start last Wednesday led him to rule out his ace for his usual opening-day role.

If there had been no health issue, Lovullo said, Greinke would be Arizona's opening-day starter for the third straight season. He was a 17-game winner last season.

Lovullo said he's not ready to name the starter for the March 29 opener at home against Colorado, although Robbie Ray would seem to be a logical alternative.

The Diamondbacks don't believe Greinke's issue is serious. The right-hander said he felt good after a bullpen session on Sunday and he is scheduled to start Wednesday against San Francisco.