Leake likely to start Friday after brief setback

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake appears set to make his spring debut on Friday in a split-squad game vs. the White Sox. Leake's previously scheduled start on Sunday was scratched because of a minor abdominal strain.

On Wednesday, Leake passed a final test by throwing in the bullpen without issue.

"It looks good. We're optimistic that he'll be able to pitch," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We're going to get through today, go out and play catch and make sure everything is good. We don't want to put anyone in a high-risk situation. He has got to feel 100 percent."

Leake was 14-7 with a 3.37 ERA in 31 starts and 192 1/3 innings -- all career bests -- last season for Cincinnati.