Free-agent right-hander Zack Greinke wants to return for a 21st season in 2024, according to two sources briefed on his thinking. However, the Kansas City Royals' signings of right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha almost certainly will preclude him from returning to the Royals. Greinke was 2-15 with a rough 5.06 ERA last year, but he's only 21 strikeouts shy of becoming only the 20th pitcher in major-league history to record 3,000 strikeouts. His Hall of Fame case likely won't be affected by whether he retires now or some point in the future. In addition to winning the 2009 American League Cy Young award, the 40-year-old has made six All-Star teams and earned six Gold Gloves. Greinke and Justin Verlander are the only active pitchers who have worked more than 3,000 innings.
Free-agent veteran right-hander Zack Greinke's representatives have communicated to major-league teams that he is preparing to pitch in 2024 and is open to contract talks. The 40-year-old former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star doesn't have much left in the tank but wants to stick around for one more year. He had a rough year in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals, going 2-15 with a 5.06 ERA (4.74 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, 23 walks and only 97 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings over his 30 appearances (27 starts). Greinke gets by with pinpoint control and relies on inducing weak contact since he's not blowing the ball anyone. With a strikeout percentage of just 16.4 last year, Greinke isn't going to be on the fantasy radar, regardless of where he signs. He will reach the 3,000-strikeout milestone in 2024, as he's only 21 strikeouts shy of the illustrious mark for pitchers.
Free-agent right-hander Zack Greinke is still deciding on whether he will return for another season to pitch in 2024, according to Kansas City Royals general manager JJ Picollo. Greinke is now 40 years old and doesn't have much left in the tank, but he's 21 strikeouts away from 3,000 in his career and could decide to come back for his 21st MLB campaign in 2024 on a one-year deal somewhere. The six-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner in 2009 went 2-15 with the Royals in 30 outings (27 starts) in 2023, posting a 5.06 ERA (4.75 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 23 walks and just 97 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings pitched. If Greinke does run it back for one more year in 2024, fantasy managers in standard-sized formats should be ignoring him.
Zack Greinke Expected To Be Activated From Injured List On Tuesday
Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (elbow) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Greinke landed on the injured list back on August 8 after coming down with soreness in his pitching elbow. The Royals are still deciding whether Greinke will get the start against the Oakland A's or if he will enter the game later as Angel Zerpa is currently listed as Tuesday's probable starter. Greinke has struggled this season, posting a 1-12 record, 5.53 ERA, and 73 strikeouts over 110 2/3 innings of work.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke (elbow) is lined up to come off the injured list at some point next week, per manager Matt Quatraro. The 39-year-old recently threw a bullpen session in Arizona, and the Royals have come away satisfied with his progress thus far. Greinke hit the 15-day IL on Aug. 8 due to elbow soreness. It's the second time this year the veteran was sent to the IL after he was sidelined for two weeks during July with right shoulder tendinitis. Greinke shows a dull 5.53 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 73:15 K:BB in 110.2 innings this season. The soft-tossing right-hander may see some streaming scenarios for fantasy purposes down the stretch, but managers should not prioritize Greinke as a stash.
The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Zack Greinke (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 7) on Tuesday with right posterior elbow soreness and recalled left-hander Taylor Hearn from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Greinke doesn't have much left in the tank at this point in his 39-year-old body. There's really nothing left for fantasy managers to squeeze out of him on a bad Royals team. In his 22 starts in 2023, Greinke has gone 1-12 with a 5.53 ERA (5.14 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, 15 walks and only 73 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings. He was roughed up in his last start on Sunday, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while striking out four in four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Kansas City Royals activated right-hander Zack Greinke (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Max Castillo to Triple-A Omaha after Wednesday's game in a corresponding move. Greinke will make the start on Thursday against the visiting Detroit Tigers, and although it's a solid matchup, most fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to use Greinke as a streamer. The 39-year-old will return from right-shoulder tendinitis. He just hasn't been very effective this year with a 1-9 record, 5.44 ERA (4.95 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, 13 walks and 64 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings covering 18 starts. Greinke can still eat innings, but he's just not missing many bats anymore at this point in his career.
Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (shoulder) recently threw a side session and is trending towards making a start for the Royals on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. Greinke is eligible to return from the injured list on Thursday after landing on it with right-shoulder tendinitis before the All-Star break. The 39-year-old veteran is nearing the end of the line on a fantastic career, but he just hasn't been very competitive on the mound or worth rostering in mixed fantasy leagues in 2023. He's made 18 starts and is currently 1-9 with a 5.44 ERA (4.95 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, 13 walks and only 64 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings pitched. Stay away from the six-time All-Star if he faces the Tigers on Thursday.
The Kansas City Royals placed right-hander Zack Greinke (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with right-shoulder tendonitis and recalled right-hander Dylan Coleman from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Greinke was forced to exit his start early on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins and now won't be able to return until July 20. The 39-year-old former Cy Young winner is nearing the end of his career and hasn't been very effective in 2023, going 1-9 with a 5.44 ERA (4.96 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, 13 walks and only 64 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings over 18 starts. He's allowed 19 runs on 35 hits (six homers) while walking four and striking out 10 in 21 innings in his last four starts. Greinke shouldn't be rostered in mixed leagues at this point in his career.
Zack Greinke Leaves Start Early With Shoulder Injury
Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (shoulder) left his start early on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning with right-shoulder discomfort. Greinke took his ninth loss of the year in 5 1/3 innings pitched before departing, allowing six runs on seven hits (three homers surrendered) while walking none and striking out three to raise his season ERA to 5.44. Manager Matt Quatraro said that Greinke's shoulder injury was mild, which is good news, and the 39-year-old could avoid the injured list entirely with the All-Star break coming up next week. Greinke has been tough to rely on for fantasy purposes at this stage of his career in KC. He's now 1-9 on the year with a 5.44 ERA and weak strikeout rate.
