Zack Greinke scheduled to pitch in minors game Wednesday

The progress continues for righty Zack Greinke.

According to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA, Greinke is scheduled to throw around 45 pitches in a minor league game Wednesday in camp. To provide a familiar backdrop, A.J. Ellis will start at catcher.

Greinke was diagnosed last week with inflammation in the back of his right (pitching) elbow. But he threw a pair of bullpen sessions this weekend and reported no lingering pain or discomfort in either workout.

The 29-year-old is currently on track to make his first regular-season start on April 5 against the Pirates.

He was originally slated to start the Dodgers’ second game of 2013 — April 2 vs. the rival Giants.

Greinke agreed to a six-year, $147 million free agent contract with Los Angeles this offseason.

Cubs closer Brandon Morrow has been out since the All-Star break with a bone bruise and biceps inflammation. In recent days there had been hope that he would be activated in the season’s final two weeks in order to be ready for the playoffs, but that’s not happening: Theo Epstein just said that Morrow is done for the season.

It’s not the first time good expectations for Morrow’s recovery were not met. When he was placed on the DL back in July manager Joe Maddon said he didn’t anticipate Morrow being on the DL for much more than the minimum 10 days. Two months later and here we are.

Morrow, 34, had an excellent season until the arm trouble started, saving 22 games with a 1.47 ERA and a 31/9 K/BB ratio in 30.2 innings. Once he went out the closer’s duties fell to Pedro Strop. Now Strop too is out for at least the rest of the regular season and likely more due to a hamstring strain he suffered last week while running the bases.

Bullpens become a lot more important in the postseason. The Cubs’ bullpen is becoming thinner.

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