Cueto attempts to shake arm trouble
Opening Day starter didn’t pitch during offseason to rest arm.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Reds manager Dusty Baker confirmed what he’s said this winter: Johnny Cueto will start Opening Day.
Now, the key is getting Cueto to April 5 healthy.
Cueto had a great season by some measures last year. His ERA (2.31) would have been good for second in the majors to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw if Cueto had enough innings to qualify. But Cueto was limited to 24 starts by injuries. The problems started in the spring.
Questions remain about Cueto, who turned 26 on Feb 15. But before last year, none of them were about his health.
“He never had a problem making his starts before,” Baker said. “He started off missing time out of spring training. I’ve always said when you start the year hurt it makes for a long year. He started the season hurt and ended the season hurting.”
Cueto opened the year on the disabled list with irritation in his right biceps and triceps. He ended the year shut down by a strained back muscle.
He made 31, 30 and 31 starts his first three years in the majors. Cueto has lowered his ERA each of his four years in the majors, going from 4.81 to 4.41 to 3.64 to 2.31.
But, because of the injuries, Cueto altered his offseason program a bit.
“I did more conditioning,” he said. “I tried to get stronger.”
He also did not pitch at all in winter ball. He spent a few weeks in Cincinnati working with strength and conditioning coach Matt Krause.
“I feel good,” Cueto said. “My arm’s good. Everything is good.”
Cueto deserves the nod for Opening Day based on last year, but more goes into the decision than that.
“It’s how you want to have to match them up during the season,” Baker said. “I know how important Opening Day is in Cincinnati. It’s more important in Cincinnati than any place I’ve been. But then you have them matching up with No. 1s the rest of the year.
“If you’re just going on veteran status, it would be Bronson (Arroyo). But I think Bronson is better down in the rotation.”
Cueto allowed three runs or fewer in 21 of his 24 starts last year. He threw 11 straight quality starts during one stretch, and went seven innings or more 14 times.