Johnny Cueto is expected to return to the Reds rotation Tuesday. Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
CINCINNATI — After starting a trio of rookies against the Washington Nationals this weekend, the Cincinnati Reds are getting their ace back.
Johnny Cueto, who missed two starts due to what’s described as right elbow inflammation, threw a bullpen session on Sunday and will start Tuesday’s series opener in Philadelphia.
“Everything went very well,” said Cueto, following Sunday’s throwing session. “I’m mentally ready and prepared to pitch. My elbow feels good. I used all of my pitches in the bullpen. I felt like I missed a month.”
The Reds’ rotation lines up as follows: Cueto (Tuesday), right-hander Mike Leake (Wednesday), and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (Thursday).
Price said Cueto had no setbacks or issues during his throwing program that are cause for concern. But the training staff did its due diligence.
“I don’t anticipate any issues with his recovery,” Price said. “After that much time off it just makes sense to make sure the elbow doesn’t flare up. Nobody anticipates that.”
Cueto, who went 20-9 last season and finished second to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw in National League Cy Young Award voting, last pitched on May 19 when he gave up three earned runs in seven innings in a 3-0 loss at Kansas City.
Speculation is swirling that Cueto, who is a free-agent after this season, will be dealt prior to the deadline as talks have stalled regarding a new deal with Cincinnati. Cueto is 3-4 with a 3.03 ERA in nine starts this season.
The decision to push Cueto’s next start back a day resulted in rookie right-hander Michael Lorenzen starting Sundays’ series finale against the Nationals. He allowed two runs and just one hit in 6 1/3 innings in an 8-2 victory for Cincinnati.
Rookie Raisel Iglesias started on Saturday.
The last time Cincinnati finished a season with three rookies in the starting rotation was 2010.
While he’s been out, Cueto has served as mentor to the Reds’ young guns, assuming a role previously held by former Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo, who’s now with the Diamondbacks.
“We have some really good established starting pitchers that can share some real quality information with this young group,” said Price. “They know our system. They know our expectation, from a pitching standpoint. We’ve cultivated an expectation of hard work looks like from a pitching standpoint.”
