Greinke Scratched From Start With Flu Bug, Fife Starts Second Game Of Split Squad

According to a tweet from Eric Stephen, Birdman Zack Greinke has been scratched from his scheduled start against team Mexico due to the flu, in one of the Dodgers two split squad games today. Young Right hander Stephen Fife will start in Birdman’s place. Fife was originally scheduled to start in the other game against the Clevland Indians at Goodyear Park.

The flu bug is making it’s rounds around the Dodger clubhouse once again. If you remember last year, Ronald Belisario had strep throat, in which several other Dodgers caught during spring. Of course we all remember Last year on opening day in San Diego when Clayton Kershaw caught that same annoying flu bug, which limited him to just three innings during the first game of the 2012 season.

Birdman has the flu-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

This year, it’s Greinke who has it. Greinke has pitched in five innings this spring, and has started in two games. He has allowed two runs, on six hits, one walk, and whiffed three, while posting a 3.60 ERA. He has also been nursing a sore forearm, and I wonder if this recent flu bug has anything to do with the recent arm-soreness. It very well could. The Dodgers will also be playing two of their recent top draft picks in their other game against team Mexico. 2012 top draft pick Infielder Corey Seager, will play a reserve role to shortstop Dee Gordon in the game against Team Mexico. Outfielder Joc Pederson will play in reserve of another top young player Yasiel Puig in left field in the Mexico game.

The game against team Mexico will be played at Camelback Ranch and live web streamed on the Dodgers.com site. Fife will be starting in place of the flu-stricken Birdman. He will be followed by Brandon League, Kenley Jansen. J.P. Howell, and Mat Palmer. Some reserves for this game include, Scott Van Slyke at first base, Matt Angle in center field, and Ramon Castro at catcher. Here is the lineup for the game against team Mexico, which will start at 12:05 P.M. Fife was originally slated to start against Mexico in the other game. The Dodgers are sending three players to play for Team Mexico in the WBC,  first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, relievers Paco Rodriguez, and Javy Guerra. Hanley Ramirez is playing for the Dominican team.

In the game against Cleveland played at Goodyear park, Hyun-jin Ryu will make the start, taking the mound for the Dodgers. He will be followed by Juan Abreu, among others. Miguel Rojas will be a reserve in this game at shortstop. Other reserves include, Rafael Ynoa at second base, Nick Evans at third base, Matt Wallach at catcher, and Rusty Ryal in right field.

We’ll get two Dodger games for the price of one today! It’s split squad juicyness. Join us, and don’t miss out on all the action. Double your pleasure, double your fun, it’s two Dodger games for the price of one! Go Blue.