Cueto will be activated from DL, start Sunday

CINCINNATI -- Manager Dusty Baker confirmed on Saturday that Reds ace Johnny Cueto, coming back from a right shoulder strain, will start the series finale against the Brewers on Sunday.

The move won't be official until then, as Cueto is not yet eligible to come off the DL, but the 27-year-old right-hander said he's ready to go.

"It feels really good right now," Cueto said through translator Tomas Vera.

Cueto is set to come off the DL for the second time this season. The first time, he was sidelined with a strained right lat for more than a month, but the injuries were similar. When healthy, Cueto has been his usual dominant self, going 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA in six starts.

No pitch limit has been put in place, according to Cueto, who simply plans to "get on the mound and throw." However, after battling back from injury twice this season, Cueto said the idea of hurting himself again might stick with him.

"We're always going to have thoughts," Cueto said. "I pray to God everything goes well, but it's hard to take it out of your mind like that."