Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke: Velocity down this spring

Greinke's fastball topped out at 89.5 mph during his second start of the spring Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reports.

Analysis:

By comparison, he topped 93 mph in his second start of the spring last season. Greinke started his throwing program later than usual because the D-backs allowed him to make his own schedule. The reason for the adjustment isn't entirely clear, but Greinke's reduced velocity Wednesday led to hard contact in the first inning, though he settled in somewhat as the outing progressed. Keep a close eye on Greinke's velocity numbers this spring, as a rebound from his disappointing first season in the desert is less likely if his arsenal has eroded.