Cincinnati Reds Injury On Injury Report.

Feb 15, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto during team workouts on the practice fields of Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto was scratched from Thursday’s start because of an “irritation” in his scapula. Reds manager Bryan Price downplayed the injury. “He could pitch today,” Price said. “And he could pitch comfortably. But it’s irritated. He feels it more when he’s done throwing. We’re going to skip him one start. He’ll get up to his six innings and 90 pitches in his next time out,  possibly in a minor league game on Tuesday,  just so we’re sure he can get his workload in.”

Homer Bailey missed his last start because of a groin strain. He is scheduled to start Sunday. “Every day, he gets better,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “We expect him making that start, but, until we get through that bullpen tomorrow and get to game time on Sunday, nothing is written in stone.”

Mat Latos made his first start of the spring in Class A game. Latos had knee surgery Feb. 14 and elbow surgery Oct. 10. “He came out of it totally fine,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “His arm felt good. His knee felt fine. He felt strong. So we don’t see any reason he won’t make his next start on schedule.”

Jonathan Broxton is progressing from elbow surgery. He pitched in a game March 17 and is scheduled to throw again March 22 in a game. Broxton threw an inning March 17. “He came in on the off day March 18th and played catch no ramifications or ill effects,” Reds manager Bryan Price said.

Long reliever man Alfredo Simon probably will make at least one start with Mat Latos, Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey on the mend. Simon allowed five runs, three earned on eight hits in five innings March 20 in 6-3 loss to Kansas City. He walked three and struck out three in the game Aroldis Chapman was injured in. “He’s thrown the ball really well and there’s been two games where he’s been erratic with his command,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “On Wednesday,  he didn’t have an off-speed pitch to go to. He wasn’t able to drop his curveball in there like he usually is.”

The Reds trimmed their roster to 38. Right-handers Drew Hayes and Chien-Ming Wang, left-hander Lee Hyde and infielder Argenis Diaz were re-assigned to minor league camp.

Price did announced yesterday that Latos and Broxton will likely start the season on the DL. Lefty setup man Sean Marshall is still taking little steps into coming back and Price acknowledge he is “optimistic” about Marshall.

The injury bug hit the team again yesterday, when new red Skip Schumaker hurt his shoulder after going after a ball in the outfield, we will keep you updated on his injury status. Catcher Devin Mesoraco has an oblique problem, but Price said it’s not serious.

The closer role is up for grabs early in the season until  Chapman returns from facial fractures sustained March 19 when he was struck by a comebacker. JJ Hoover might get the first crack, with Broxton  and Marshall  to open the season on the disabled list. But, Price might go with the “closer by committee”.