Cueto's rehab process to be slowed down

ARLINGTON -- When Reds ace Johnny Cueto works to return from the disabled list for a third time later this season, he will find the process will likely take much longer.

The Reds will be especially deliberate, now that Saturday's test results on Cueto revealed that he once again has a strained right lat muscle. It is the muscle located under his shoulder. The injury was confirmed during an ultrasound test performed in Cincinnati.

"It's in the almost identical spot on the scan, over basically the scar tissue that had built up over that muscle," Reds head trainer Paul Lessard said on Sunday. "It's a small, tiny tear that was healing. He just picked that scab, basically."

The strained right lat cost Cueto almost five weeks from April 15-May 20. His second DL stint lasted from June 5-16 for what was called a right shoulder strain -- but it was essentially in the same area as the first injury.

The plan is to have Cueto shut down from throwing for at least a couple of weeks. There is no timetable for a return yet.

"We'll probably go a little slower this time," Lessard said. "It's probably going to be an issue the rest of the season. We'll have to take some more time. Hopefully the scans show it healing over before we start a throwing program."