Major League Baseball

Bronson Arroyo sick, Mariners-Reds rained out

Published Mar. 21, 2011 10:50 p.m. ET

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Right-hander Bronson Arroyo is getting a few days off to get well.

Arroyo was scratched from Cincinnati's pitching plans even before rain forced cancellation of the Reds' game Monday against the Seattle Mariners. Manager Dusty Baker said Arroyo has been suffering from the flu.

Baker planned to start a minor leaguer in his place against the Mariners, before a steady rain prompted the cancellation.

''Bronson's had the flu for a week to 10 days,'' Baker said. ''He looks bad and is skinny enough. He can't lose any more weight. We will push him back to Thursday and hope he gets his strength back.''

The Reds' rotation has taken several hits during spring training. Opening day starter Edinson Volquez wasn't able to pitch at the outset because of visa problems. Right-hander Johnny Cueto had to leave his last two starts because of a sore arm.

Cueto went back to Cincinnati for an MRI over the weekend. The test found mild inflammation in his right shoulder, but no significant injury. He won't throw for a week to 10 days, giving the shoulder time to heal. The layoff means Cueto won't be on the opening day roster.

The Mariners knew the game would likely be called off, so they had scheduled starter Michael Pineda pitch against minor leaguers at their complex. Manager Eric Wedge watched the rookie's performance.

''I thought he threw the ball well - five innings, 75 pitches,'' Wedge said. ''He had one inning where he was a little bit off but he made the adjustments. He pitched with good stuff. We knew this (rainout) might happen and he needed to get his work in.''

David Pauley also was scheduled to pitch against the Reds. Wedge planned to have him go back to the Mariners' complex and throw the equivalent of four innings in the batting cage. Otherwise, the rainout wasn't much of a problem.

''We'll be fine,'' Wedge said. ''We'll just tweak the lineups the next couple of days.''

NOTES: The Reds reassigned 1B Yonder Alonso, INF Zack Cozart, INF Todd Frazier, INF Kris Negron, RHP Carlos Fisher, RHP Jerry Gil, RHP Jordan Smith and LHP Daniel Ray Herrera to their minor league camp. ... Alonso is stuck behind MVP Joey Votto at first base. In his last seven starts, Alonso went 7 for 16. ... After a slow start, OF Jay Bruce has gone 9 for 18 in the last six games with three doubles and a homer.

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