Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto played catch for about 20 minutes and up to distances about 100 feet on Wednesday. The right-hander underwent an MRI on Tuesday, which indicated no structural damage in his elbow.
"He felt fine. He threw comfortably," Reds head trainer Paul Lessard said. "He's still a little sore from the MRI injection, but other than that, he felt very good. He wasn't really holding back and was throwing pretty firm."
If all goes well Wednesday, Cueto could throw in the bullpen Friday, per MLB.com. If he has no setbacks by Saturday, then Cueto could rejoin the rotation Sunday against the Nationals, manager Bryan Price said.
"He typically throws [in the bullpen] two days before a start. So if he were to start on Sunday, he would throw a bullpen on Friday," Price said. "He would have to get through the bullpen and see how he felt on Saturday before we consider Sunday as an option."
Cueto was scratched from his start Sunday against the Indians due to right elbow stiffness. He is 1-2 with a 4.45 ERA in four May starts.