Johnny Cueto injury: Reds starting pitcher reportedly going on the 15-day DL

The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly placing their ace on the DL with a lateral strain.

By Connor Moylan Apr 14, 2013, 6:13pm EDT

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will reportedly be going on the 15-day DL with a lateral strain, FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting.

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Cueto started the game for the Reds on Saturday, but was removed with one out in the fifth inning. The starting pitcher reported triceps pain, and team doctor Timothy Kremcheck assessed Cueto's health on Sunday.

His health assessment apparently revealed an additional injury to the tricep pain, and Cueto will now join outfielder Ryan Ludwick and relief pitcher Sean Marshall on the Reds' disabled list. The injury news caps off a tough weekend for Cincinnati, who were swept in a three-game series by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Reds do have a quality in-house option to replace Cueto. Left-handed pitching prospect Tony Cingrani has looked extremely effective in his two Triple-A starts this season. Cingrani has yet to allow a run this season, and has fanned 21 batters while only issuing two walks in 12.1 innings.

Even if Cingrani is promoted and pitches well, Cueto is a tough loss for the Reds. The starting pitcher had the best season of his career last season, throwing 217 innings for Cincinnati while posting a 2.78 ERA. Cueto had looked effective in his first three starts for the Reds before being removed, as he had a 2.60 ERA with 18 strikeouts throught 17.1 innings.