MLB: Cincinnati Reds' Starting Rotation Hurting

When spring training started, the Cincinnati Reds had one of the deepest starting rotations in the National League. They were one of the few teams that could claim they had six legit starting pitchers.

Now as Opening Day approaches, the Reds’ starting rotation is a hot mess.

First, Johnny Cueto went down with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Cueto is set to begin a throwing program next week, but is expected to miss the first couple of weeks of the regular season.

Then, Homer Bailey, the guy I am very high on this season, goes on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder impingement. I have no idea what a “shoulder impingement” is, but apparently it’s not that serious. Reds’ GM Walt Jocketty said, “It’s nothing to be alarmed about.”

Still, Bailey is about two starts out to begin the season. That’s two starters down, three to go.

Actually, make that three starters down and now two to go.

That’s because the latest Red starter to have an issue is Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo was scratched from his latest start because of flu-like systems and he was tested Friday for Valley Fever. For those of you not familiar with Valley Fever, it essentially ended Conor Jackson‘s career.

So the Reds' projected Opening Day starting rotation went from this:

1. Edinson Volquez

2. Johnny Cueto

3. Bronson Arroyo

4. Homer Bailey

5. Travis Wood

To this:

1. Edinson Volquez

2. Travis Wood

3. Mike Leake

4. Sam LeCure

If there is good news out of this, it’s that none of these injuries appear to be serious. And when I say serious, I mean season-ending.

With this depleted starting rotation, the Reds might struggle a bit in April. But if they can tread water in April and none of these injuries become more serious, the Reds should be right there in the end for the National League Central crown.

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