GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds manager Bryan Price said Wednesday that right-hander Johnny Cueto is expected to return to spring training camp Wednesday after being away to attend to a family health matter in the Dominican Republic.
Cueto should still have time to make two more starts before the Reds break camp, said Price, and be ready to make his fourth consecutive Opening Day start when the Reds host Pittsburgh on April 6. The Reds and Cueto kept in contact while he was back in his home country. The Reds have a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic where Cueto was able to continue his training.
"He said he had been doing all of his running and shoulder exercises and this throwing," said Price. "It's not going to hurt to see him and get to have a more of an in-depth conversation on what he's been able to accomplish in those eight or nine days that he's been away. I think there's still time for him to get in two more starts and still be ready to start on Opening Day. That's all he needs, two more starts."
Cueto last pitched for the Reds on March 15 against the Chicago Cubs, giving up just one hit in four innings, a two-run home run by former Reds player Chris Denorfia. It was his third start of the spring schedule.
The Reds have not yet announced when, or where, Cueto's next start will be. It could be at the minor-league level so the outing can be held in a more controlled environment. Mike Leake's next turn in the rotation is scheduled for Saturday but he'll be taking that turn in a minor league game for the control factor instead of the Cactus League game scheduled against the Cubs.
"For a guy like (Leake) or Johnny, the most important thing in those starts is getting your up-and-downs, your innings and your pitches," said Price. "Start number five in spring training for most starters is the most important because you almost have to get your innings and pitch allotment in that start or you have to go into your last spring training start trying to accomplish those things. I've seen it before where they go out and the guy gets knocked in the second inning and you've got to send him to the bullpen to throw four simulated innings. It's not nearly as productive."
Closer Aroldis Chapman will start against the Cubs on Saturday. It's not a signal that Chapman is moving to the rotation. It is an opportunity for Chapman to face the best hitters who will be in the Chicago lineup that day.
Price also said Wednesday that Homer Bailey will make his next start in a minor league game on Friday. Bailey pitched made his first outing of the spring last Sunday, throwing 29 pitches in two scoreless innings in a minor league game. Bailey is on track to return to the starting rotation in mid-April.
