Bochy updates outlook on Cueto; details next step

SAN FRANCISCO – Johnny Cueto was preparing for the worst.

The Giants starter felt terrible pain in his right elbow and after a dominant start to his 2018 season, Cueto felt he was destined to undergo Tommy John surgery.

But an early May visit to Dr. James Andrews, a leading sports orthopedic surgeon, confirmed Cueto suffered a sprain and not a tear in his elbow, allowing the pitcher to rehab and rest.

San Francisco placed the right-hander on the 60-day disabled list, which means he’s not eligible to return to the club until June 30 at the earliest. Though it remains uncertain exactly when Cueto will begin a rehab assignment and when the Giants will target a specific return date for the starter, manager Bruce Bochy offered an optimistic outlook on Cueto’s progress Sunday.

“Cueto threw out to 120 feet today and it’s possible he could take his first pen in Washington,” Bochy said.

Cueto didn’t begin throwing until Monday, but Bochy reported he is pain-free and attempting to make a quick return to the Giants rotation.

“Johnny is anxious to get going,” Bochy said. “It wasn’t the plan today but he had the catcher get up and he just got on the mound and played a little catch. It was not a bullpen but just an example of how anxious he is to get going.”

Cueto allowed just three runs in 32 innings to start the season, posting a 0.84 ERA through his first five starts of the year. Despite missing a start due to a sprained ankle, Cueto regained his form and appeared an early favorite to garner All-star consideration in the National League.

However, the Dominican Republic native said he experienced discomfort toward the end of April that forced the Giants to send him to the disabled list, robbing the team of its No. 2 starter while ace Madison Bumgarner remained on the shelf.