Opening Day Starter Unknown For Cincinnati Reds

Mar 10, 2014; Surprise, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey (34) throws during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Reds pitching staff have been a hit by the injury “bug” this spring training and with opening day a week away, we don’t who’s going to start the game against the St Louis Cardinals.  Homer Bailey, who is recovering from a strained right groin  was originally slated to throw in a Minor League game Sunday. That was pushed back to Monday, however. Bailey signed a six-year, 100+ million dollar contract this off-season.

“He threw on the side. It felt good,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He played his game of catch. It’s kind of like that whole protocol. He said he felt good. I guess we felt one day was better.”

Bailey has not pitched in a game since March 10 and he suffered the injury while playing catch March 14. His start the following day was scratched.

The Reds are being extra cautious with Bailey but are hopeful he can begin the season without needing to go on the disabled list. The story is true for Mat Latos, who is also expected to pitch a Minor League game Monday. That would be his second outing since returning from Feb. 14 left-knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. But, with Latos a bit behind the schedule, he’ll probably start the season on the disabled list.

Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto is expected to start a Minor League game Tuesday. Cueto missed his last big league game start because of irritation in his right scapula. Cueto has been hit with the injury “bug” ever since he left the game in San Francisco after eight pitches in the first game of the 2012 National League Division Series.

“In all of these situations, we are really trying to avoid a recurrence,” Price said. “You have no idea if you’re going to have a recurrence until you throw these guys out there to perform, even if they feel 100 percent. You can’t simulate game speed in the bullpen or in fielding drills. We’re just trying to do the best that we can to make sure that he’s as ready as possible.”

Price is still trying to decide who can start on Opening Day. Before the recent string of injuries, it was between Cueto and Bailey. Now, it’s totally up in the air.

“We’ll have someone show up to pitch Opening Day. We just don’t know who that guy is yet,” Price said. “Hopefully if we can get through the middle of this coming week here, we should be able to set our rotation. It’s unbelievable that it won’t be until the 26th that we actually know who our 1-2-3 starters are going to be.”

Meanwhile, the Reds will take on the Cleveland Indians this afternoon at 4pm, game will be televised on Fox sports Ohio.