Houston Astros pitcher Zack Greinke scratched from start, put on IL

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Houston Astros right-hander Zack Greinke was scratched from his scheduled start against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night and placed on the 10-day injured list because of neck soreness.

Greinke said his neck began bothering him Wednesday and worsened Thursday while the Astros were concluding a series against the Los Angeles Angels. He said the pain in his neck prevented him from throwing or running.

The 37-year-old Greinke, who missed 12 games earlier this month while on the COVID-19 list, has an 11-6 record and 4.11 ERA over 29 starts for the Astros this season.

"It's been kind of a mess since all that," Greinke told reporters Friday. "The important thing now is the season for me is closer to over. Just trying to get ready for the playoffs and hopefully help the team out there as much as possible."

Greinke, who captured the 2009 American League Cy Young Award, hasn't won since defeating the Angels on Aug. 13. He has failed to make it past the fifth inning in his last three starts, posting a 0-2 record and 12.46 ERA in that span.

The six-time All-Star selection is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2021 MLB season.

Brandon Bielak started Friday night's game against the A's in place of Greinke. In a corresponding roster move, the Astros called up right-hander Peter Solomon from Triple-A Sugar Land to take Greinke's spot on the roster.