Greif pitched four full seasons and part of a fifth with the Padres. A knuckle-curve specialist, he was the team's Opening Daystarter in 1974, then in 1975 he was moved full-time to the bullpen. After moving back to the starting rotation to start the 1976 season, he made five starts for the Padres before being dealt to the Cardinals for Luis Meléndez on May 19.[2]
Remaining career
The Cardinals moved Greif back to the bullpen once again, and he had a 1–5 record in 47 appearances. He was sent along with Sam Mejías and Ángel Torres from the Cardinals to the Montreal Expos for Tony Scott, Steve Dunning and Pat Scanlon on November 8, 1976.[3] The Expos did not re-sign him for the 1977 season,[4] and he was released on March 30. After sitting out the 1977 season, Greif signed with the New York Mets organization in 1978. He appeared in three games for the Tidewater Tides that year, his final professional season.