The Reds' Johnny Cueto left Game 1 of the division series after just one batter.
Tuesday, we learned why this happened. Mark Sheldon:
Cueto has been diagnosed with a mild right oblique strain. He is still getting treatment and it has not changed the mystery of the timetable for a return.
"We’re still throwing the kitchen sink at him right now," head trainer Paul Lessard said.
The injury is different in that most pitchers get oblique injuries on their non-dominant side.
The Reds have not yet decided whether to put Cueto on the disabled list and replace him on the NLDS roster; if they do so, he wouldn't be eligible to return for the NLCS. Manager Dusty Baker, though, does have an option for a possible replacement:
If Cueto had to be replaced, Mike Leake has been preparing since the regular season ended for this type of contingency.
"He’d be the one," Baker said.
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