Reds send Jason Marquis to bullpen, update Cueto status
Johnny Cueto will not start on Sunday, but should be ready to pitch next week in Philadelphia, Reds manager Bryan Price said on Friday.
Cueto, who was scratched from his start last Sunday in Cleveland and skipped in the rotation, threw on Thursday and Friday, but hasn't thrown a bullpen session yet. Price said Cueto would have to throw a bullpen before he penciled him in for a start.
"We just want to make sure all of the inflammation is out," Price said. "He's been more aggressive every time he's thrown. He's felt better every time he's thrown."
Rookie Michael Lorenzen will start Sunday's series finale against the Nationals, Price said. Price also said veteran Jason Marquis will move to the bullpen, leaving three rookies in the rotation, with all three pitching this weekend against the Nats.
"We have to be cautious with innings on two of the three but right now, they're our best chance to go out there and perform," Price said.
With Anthony DeSclafani starting Friday's game, Raisel Iglesias will start Saturday's game.
"I am very confident that the three pitchers that will start in this series are guys that will be staples of our pitching staff in years to come," Price said. "I'm very happy with what I've seen from these three kids and there's development that continues to take place and they'll all settle in as starting pitchers in the future for us. I don't know that yet. Our future's arrived a little early. Every time they go out there and take the ball, I'm optimistic they'll pitch a nice ballgame. I also know there's some education to go along the way. They're going to learn some lessons here for sure."
Marquis, 36, has only pitched three games out of the bullpen since 2003, when he was primarily used as a reliever for the Braves. Marquis is 3-4 with a 6.46 ERA in nine starts for the Reds this season and has lost his last three decisions. In his four starts since beating the Braves on May 2 to improve to 3-1, Marquis has an 8.50 ERA.
8-MAN BULLPEN: With Marquis moving to the bullpen, the Reds have an eight-man bullpen and will play with a four-man bench for the time being.
"I feel a lot better about having eight guys in the bullpen than I concern myself with having four guys on the bench," Price said. "With guys like Lorenzen and (Mike) Leake, those are guys that handle the bat OK, so for an early guy that can come in and maybe lay down a bunt so we don't have to burn one of our position players to get a bunt down."
The Reds have played a man down on the bench since Devin Mesoraco was put on the disabled list earlier this week and the team activated left-hander Manny Parra.
"It's pick your poison," Price said. "Do you feel like you're short in the bullpen or short on the bench? Right now, I'd rather have the eight-man bullpen than the five-man bench."
INJURY UPDATES: Mesoraco will see at least one more specialist before a decision is made in regards to the course of treatment for his left hip impingement.
Outfielder Jason Bourgeois (shoulder) took batting practice on the field for the first time on Friday. He had been hitting in the cage for more than a week before progressing to batting practice on the field.