Reds likely to skip Lamb in rotation for rest

CINCINNATI -- The Reds still have John Lamb listed as their starting pitcher for Saturday at Philadelphia. But between Lamb's sore left thumb being immobilized in a soft cast, and the fact he's not allowed to throw until at least Wednesday, it's not looking good for the left-hander to make the start.
Reds manager Bryan Price already has a contingency plan in mind. With an off-day coming on Thursday, Lamb could be skipped and starters could work on normal rest.
"We're just going to give him a couple of days of rest, and I think brace the hand, just so there isn't a lot of activity," Price said on Monday. "The off-day comes at a good time, because if we want to bring [Dan] Straily or [Alfredo] Simon up ahead, or [Tim] Adleman even, we can do a few things there. I imagine we will do something of that nature, given that [Lamb] won't play catch until Wednesday. It would seem likely we will make some sort of adjustment. It's not written in stone."
Lamb was batting in the third inning on Sunday when an inside pitch from Brewers starter Junior Guerra jammed him on the hands and left him with a strained left thumb.
The disabled list is not currently an option for Lamb.
"I imagine he'll be doing some ice and stuff to try and get the swelling down," Price said. "But at this point in time, nobody said anything about the DL."
Lamb already sensed improvement since his injury forced him out of the game vs. Milwaukee after four innings.
"It's definitely a little bit better today. It's calmed down a little bit," Lamb said. "Other than that, it's definitely still sore. It's a little bit of both worlds there."
Lamb was two starts into his season after returning from December back surgery. He has never experienced thumb problems before, and he was hopeful that he wouldn't be out for long.
"If I was feeling anything like I was today, yesterday, I believe I could have continued to pitch," Lamb said. "I'm happy with that, knowing it feels a lot better. Hopefully this doesn't get me off track moving forward. I certainly don't have anything to go off of from the past with this, so I'm just going to go day to day, going tell these guys how I'm feeling and just hope it gets better."
DeSclafani throwing again
Injured Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, who has been on the DL with a left oblique strain since Spring Training, resumed throwing again. DeSclafani had been shut down since he felt discomfort during his second Minor League rehab start on April 29, at Class A Dayton.
On Monday, DeSclafani long-tossed from a distance of 100 feet.
"I'm back on a throwing schedule now and will build up slowly and not go so hard and so fast into it where I kind of irritate it again," DeSclafani said. "I'll bring it along slowly and if it goes well, get into a bullpen [session], possibly two. Then get on to the rehab starts and get back."