Cueto’s pain ‘unbearable’
PHILADELPHIA — No matter how optimistic a person tries to be, the mind usually steers you to the darkest place. Johnny Cueto is no different. When he visited Dr. James Andrews on Monday he was steeling himself for a Tommy John surgery recommendation.
“Yes, I had thought about it,” Cueto said Tuesday through translator Erwin Higueros. “Mentally I was ready that I was going to be off this year. I feel relieved. My family is happy. I’m happy. I can see my teammates are happy that I’m not going to have Tommy John surgery.”
Cueto revealed he was pitching in “constant” pain this season, which led to earlier-thanusual exits from his starts. The Giants knew about the pain, but he wanted to keep pitching, as many do with some discomfort.
Cueto finally cried uncle when the pain became “unbearable,” he said. Even then, Cueto offered to throw one more time
in Atlanta before his trip to Dr. Andrews in Florida.
By then, the Giants already had an MRI exam that showed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, so they could not risk it. Dr. Andrews delivered his recommendation of rehab over surgery after ordering a contrast MRI on Monday morning.
The Giants and Cueto are confident that through healing and strengthening the arm Cueto can return and pitch pain-free in six to eight weeks without needing surgery later.
“He’s the best in the business,” Cueto said, referring to Dr. Andrews. “I have to trust him.”
While Cueto already has
begun workouts to keep the rest of his body strong, trainer Dave Groeschner said Cueto will rest the arm for about two weeks, “then step it up from there.”
Nobody was ready to say how soon Cueto can play catch.
“He’s pitched a lot of innings,” Groeschner said. “There’s a lot of wear and tear. There’s a good chance it’s going to get better. That’s why we’re going through with the rehab.”
Briefly: The Giants sent reliever D.J. Snelten to Triple-A Sacramento after he threw 54 pitches Monday. They promoted Derek Law to add a fresher arm to the bullpen . ... The injury bug has crept to Sacramento. Reliever Roberto Gomez is out for several weeks with a shoulder impingement . ... Gregor Blanco was picked off in the fifth inning Tuesday after having an earlier “out” call on a pickoff throw reversed on video review. The Giants lead the majors with six runners picked off. “That’s something we will address,” manager Bruce Bochy said . ... The Giants have gone three games without homering just once this season. They were on the verge of doing it again until Pablo Sandoval homered in the eighth.