NEW YORK – The Cincinnati Reds pitching staff that has spent all season short-handed could get close to full strength in quick sequence over the next few days and weeks with three key pitchers nearing returns.
That includes once key setup reliever who could be back by June 21 or 22, Pierce Johnson.
Johnson made what’s expected to be his only minor-league rehab appearance June 19 for Triple-A Louisville, giving up a two-out run in one inning, with two hits allowed and a strikeout.
“Depending on how that goes, he might even jump on a flight tonight (to join the big club),” manager Terry Francona said an hour or so before that appearance for Johnson, who’s been on the IL since the end of May because of elbow inflammation. “But that’s probably a little iffy.”
Emilio Pagán, Hunter Greene injury updates for Reds
Right behind Johnson are closer Emilio Pagán (hamstring) and ace Hunter Greene (elbow surgery/bone chips).
Pagán faced hitters in a 20-pitch simulation before the Reds’ series opener in New York against the Yankees and pronounced himself fit for duty – though the team says not so fast.
“He’ll do that again Monday (at home), and if all goes well, then we’ll get him out to pitch (on a rehab assignment),” Francona said of an assignment that figures to be a quick one.
Said Pagán: “I felt like I could have probably thrown 15 or 20 more. I felt like I was getting stronger as I went, so that’s a good sign.
“I’m going to fight for being ready as soon as I can.”
Either way, that figures to be sometime during the Reds’ next road trip, June 26-July 2, barring setback.
And Greene? He threw four scoreless innings in low Class A on Thursday in Arizona, in a first rehab start that was originally scheduled to be three innings.
Next up is a between-starts side session Sunday in Arizona, then a trip to Cincinnati to work out with the team Monday before making his next rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Louisville.
He threw 54 pitches in the first one. If he looks good and adds 10-15 more pitches in start No. 2?
It could put him on a timeline to be activated from the IL for a season debut during the Reds’ nine-game homestand that leads into the All-Star break.
But don’t ask Francona about any light at the end of the injury tunnel for his beat-up pitching staff.
“If you look too much for the light, you miss the tunnel. And you get hit by the (expletive) train,” he said.
Elly De La Cruz makes bid for quick return
Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz could be on a track every bit as fast as his injured pitching teammates if his first minor-league rehab start was any indication.
De La Cruz singled in his first at-bat, then hit a two-run homer in his second on Friday. He played shortstop Friday and was to DH on Saturday, with a possible return from the IL tentatively circled for Tuesday at home against the Brewers.
Before being sent out, he said he wanted to play now.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When Cincinnati Reds could be back to full strength
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
