Johnny Cueto Likely Done for Season
By Editorial Staff
Johnny Cueto has likely thrown his last pitch for the Cincinnati Reds this season. Cueto left his start Wednesday night due to what was later determined to be a strained lat muscle.
Cueto began showing signs of discomfort during the top of the 4th inning. After recording the first out of the frame, Cueto threw a first pitch strike to Alfonso Soriano. Following the pitch, Cueto took off his glove and grabbed his right side, seeming to stretch his throwing arm.
After some uncertainty, Cincinnati’s pitching coach and trainer visited the mound to check on Cueto. The right-hander convinced them to let him continue and, after throwing a few practice pitches, Cueto went on to retire Soriano.
But Cincinnati apparently didn’t like what they saw, as following the out Dusty Baker removed Cueto from the game.
Initial reports on the injury were positive, but with only a few games remaining and Cincinnati’s status as a non-playoff contender, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to bring Cueto back this season.
Baker said that, at a minimum, the Reds would skip Cueto’s next start, so the decision to shut him down wasn’t a very difficult one.
Cueto is holding out hope that he can take the mound once more for the Reds, but his prospects of returning this year don’t seem to be very promising.
The news could bring an end to what was a breakout season for the 25 year old. Cueto was the Reds ace this year, maintaining an ERA of 2.31 that trails only Clayton Kershaw’s mark of 2.30 as the best in the Major’s. Over his 156 innings of work in 2011, Cueto put up a WHIP of 1.09 while holding opposing hitters to a .220 batting average.
For more on the Reds, be sure to check out Blog Red Machine.