D-backs appear excited for Australia trip

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke may have "zero excitement" about the coming trip to Australia to play the D-backs, but the feeling in the Arizona clubhouse appears to be quite different.

"That's his opinion," D-backs left fielder Mark Trumbo said of Greinke, who told ESPNLosAngeles.com that "I would say there is absolutely zero excitement for it. There just isn't any excitement to it. I can't think of one reason to be excited for it."

"I think it's going to be a cool thing," Trumbo continued. "That's just personal. There are going to be some tougher things that come with it, there's going to be a lot of travel and some adjusting, but I think more than anything it's just cool to be able to bring the game over there."

The D-backs and the Dodgers will play two regular season games starting March 22 in Sydney.

For D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who finished second in the National League Most Valuable Player voting last year, this will be his second trip to Australia in five months. Goldschmidt traveled to Sydney to help promote the game last November.

"This has nothing to do with [Greinke's] comments, because I haven't heard them and I'm not going to comment on anything he said," Goldschmidt said. "But I'm looking forward to going over there and play. I've said that since last year when it got announced."

D-backs players are allowed to bring one guest, making the trip popular among wives and girlfriends.

"I can't speak for everyone in here, but it seems like the general consensus is everyone is excited and we are kind of honored that we're going to be part of the first Major League game that's going to be in that country," reliever J.J. Putz said. "I know the travel is going to be tough, but at the same time I know a lot of people have always wanted to go to Australia. To be able to bring my wife to Australia for a week and we get to play baseball? It's win-win. I'm excited about it. I think it's going to be a great trip."

The two teams will have a week after returning from Australia before they resume regular-season games.

"The fact that they're giving us a week to come back to adjust to the time, it's perfect," third baseman Eric Chavez said. "I've done the Japan trip. I love it. I had a great time. So I don't see what the problem is."