Right-hander Johnny Cueto played long toss Saturday, finishing the workout with a smile, and now will have two bullpen sessions to test his elbow and it is expected he'll return to the rotation within a week.
"He's feeling good and chomping at the bit to pitch," said manager Dusty Baker. "We'll make a determination after the bullpen sessions." Asked if there had been any consideration about shutting the 22-year-old right-hander down for the season, Baker said, "Depends on how he feels. If he is fine to pitch, then we'll let him pitch. Who knows, this rest might have done him some good, too."
Cueto pitched 30-plus innings in winter ball, 17 2/3 innings in spring training and 155 innings this season -- more than 200 innings.
He left a game in Denver Aug. 24 after three innings with a sore elbow after giving up one unearned run but no hits.
REDS 9, GIANTS 3: RHP Bronson Arroyo not only won his 13th game, his ninth in 12 decisions since giving up 11 runs in one inning June 24 in Toronto, but he stole his first career base to ignite a two-run rally and later hit a two-run bases-loaded double Sunday to help his team complete a three-game sweep of the Giants.
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