LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers scratched major league ERA leader Zack Greinke from his start against Arizona on Wednesday night due to soreness in his calf.
The decision to skip a start could prevent Greinke from winning 20 games for the first time in his career. It’s unclear whether Greinke would make two more starts this season with the NL West-leading Dodgers almost certainly heading to the playoffs in early October.
The Dodgers said Greinke is expected to take his next turn in the Dodgers’ rotation early next week.
The right-hander is 18-3 with a 1.65 ERA this season, making him a top candidate for the NL Cy Young Award. Greinke has victories in five consecutive starts and 13 of 15 since late June.
CUBS: By beating Milwaukee on Tuesday, Jake Arrieta became the first Chicago pitcher since Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins in 1971 to win at least 20 games and strike out at least 200 in a season.
He also lowered his ERA to 1.88, giving him a chance to become the Cubs’ first qualifying starter with a sub-2.00 ERA since Grover Cleveland Alexander had a 1.91 mark in 1920.
“He’s got four good pitches.” Brewers Manager Craig Counsell said of Arrieta. “How many guys have four good pitches?”
Arrieta also lowered his ERA to 0.86 since the All-Star break, which would be a major league record if he continues the pace.
RANGERS: Texas had a combined seven sacrifices between the four sac flies and three sacrifices in a win Tuesday at Oakland. It marked the second-most combined sacrifices in franchise history, behind the Rangers’ eight on Aug. 1, 1977, against Chicago – five sacrifices and three sac flies.
“That’s been our MO all year, we’ve been very aggressive on the bases,” Mitch Moreland said. “We had a lot of guys step up and have sacrifices.”
BLUE JAYS: Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki played catch and fielded grounders for the first time since breaking his left shoulder blade in a Sept. 12 game at Yankee Stadium. There is no timetable for his return.
WHITE SOX: Still day-to-day with patella tendinitis in his right knee, first-baseman Adam LaRoche is “ramping it up and taking batting practice. “We’re hoping to get him back in there maybe this weekend,” said White Sox Manager Robin Ventura.
ASTROS: Outfielder Carlos Gomez (intercostal strain) missed his 11th straight game.
Manager A.J. Hinch said he isn’t sure when Gomez will be able to hit again, but that he could be inserted as a defensive replacement or pinch runner soon.
GIANTS: Outfielder Juan Perez (strained side muscle) isn’t likely to play again this year, Manager Bruce Bochy said.
• First baseman Brandon Belt wasn’t with the team on Wednesday; he’s scheduled to see a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
PADRES: Josh Johnson has yet to decide when to have his third reconstructive elbow surgery.
ROYALS: Pitcher Greg Holland, with lingering elbow issues, has been replaced by Wade Davis as the closer. Also, second baseman Omar Infante has a left oblique strain and is probably out two to four weeks while shortstop Alcides Escobar has returned after missing two games with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch Friday.
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