Healthy Cueto poised to bounce back in '14

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds ace Johnny Cueto, who was limited to 11 starts in 2013 because of a strained right lat muscle, reported that he was feeling 100 percent on the first day of Spring Training Friday.

Cueto worked out much of the winter at a Reds facility in the Dominican Republic.

"I practiced my long toss," Cueto said. "I threw long all the time. I did a lot of training. Now I can come back ready."

Cueto, who endured three stints on the disabled list last season, said he was instructed to shorten his delivery by manager Bryan Price. Since 2011, Cueto had a twisting motion that turned his back to the hitter. Price wanted to keep Cueto from flying open during his delivery, but the change was also about health.

"There are times when he can get so dramatic in the turn, that it creates a more difficult time to repeat the mechanics," Price said. "He's coming off a lat strain and a history of some shoulder fatigue and things of that nature. We're trying to make it easier for him to repeat the delivery."