Reds’ Johnny Cueto (elbow) expects to start Tuesday vs. Phillies

After a successful bullpen session on Sunday, Cincinnati Reds righthander Johnny Cueto is expected to start Tuesday’s series opener against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

After a successful bullpen session on Sunday, Cincinnati Reds righthander Johnny Cueto is expected to start Tuesday’s series opener against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Cueto was scratched from a scheduled May 24 start due to elbow stifness he felt during an after his last start, a May 19 outing against the Kansas City Royals. In that game, a 3–0 Royals win in Kansas City, Cueto allowed three runs on nine hits over seven innings.

Cueto missed only the one start before throwing Sunday's bullpen session at Great American Ball Park.

Manager Bryan Pricetold MLB.com Cueto's last hurdle will seeing how his elbow feels during Monday’s off day.

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“We haven’t had any setbacks since he started throwing, so I don’t think we anticipate any issues with recovery, but after much time off, it just makes sense to make sure the elbow doesn’t flare up,” Price said.

Cueto is 3–4 with a 3.03 ERA, 60 strikeouts and 12 walks over 65 1/3 innings and nine starts this season.

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The Reds (22–27) swept the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati this weekend.

- Mike Fiammetta