PHILADELPHIA -- Johnny Cueto revealed that performing in "constant" pain finally prompted him to speak up about his discomfort.
"That's why I was pitching only six innings," said Cueto, who rejoined the Giants on Tuesday -- one day after visiting Dr. James Andrews, the noted orthopedist who recommended six to eight weeks of rest and rehabilitation for the right-hander's ailing elbow.
Cueto, 32, led the Major Leagues with an 0.84 ERA before he was sidelined. However, he lasted six innings in three of his five outings and worked seven in the other two. He made his final appearance before going on the disabled list on April 28, when he yielded two runs and three hits in six innings in San Francisco's 8-3 triumph over the Dodgers.
Speaking through interpreter Erwin Higueros, Cueto expressed his delight at avoiding surgery. If Cueto had a muscle tear, he likely would have needed Tommy John elbow surgery that could have sidelined him for at least a year.
"I feel relief," Cueto said. "My family's happy. I'm happy. I can see my teammates are happy."
Cueto's faith in Dr. Andrews' prognosis was implicit.
"He's the best in the business," Cueto said. "That's why I have to trust him."
Worth noting
• Right-hander Derek Law replaced lefty D.J. Snelten in the Giants' bullpen. Manager Bruce Bochy reasoned that Snelten would need a couple of days' rest after pitching two rigorous innings in Monday's 11-0 loss here (four earned runs and six hits allowed). Law therefore was summoned so the relief corps wouldn't be essentially a man short.