Cueto Considers Changes to Avoid Re-Injury

Johnny Cueto is set to return to the Reds rotation tonight with a start against the New York Mets. Cueto has been on the disabled list since mid-April with a recurring oblique injury.

Cueto was the Reds ace last season, as he won 19 games and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. He was 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season before being placed on the disabled list. The Reds and fantasy owners alike will be happy to get one of their best pitchers back, but it’s not entirely clear how it will go for him moving forward.

Cueto’s oblique injury was caused by his unorthodox mechanics that involves an “exaggerated turn” at the end of his delivery. He began throwing in this manner in 2011. Before tweaking his mechanics, Cueto had a career 4.27 ERA. Since tweaking them he has posted a fantastic career 2.58 ERA.

Cueto’s oblique injury has put him on the disabled list multiple times in the past few seasons. It even kept him from pitching in an important NLDS game last post-season. Cueto claims that he is going to consider tweaking his mechanics once again to avoid further injury. If he doesn’t change something, this nagging injury will likely come again. If he changes something, you just have to keep your fingers crossed that he will continue to pitch like an ace.

Cueto is a great pitcher, but an injury like this is causing a predicament for him moving forward. Pay attention to whether or not he changes his mechanics at all. If he doesn’t, it may not be the worst idea to trade the pitcher with the assumption that he will hurt himself again.

Cueto Considers Changes to Avoid Re-Injury

Johnny Cueto is set to return to the Reds rotation tonight with a start against the New York Mets. Cueto has been on the disabled list since mid-April with a recurring oblique injury.

Cueto was the Reds ace last season, as he won 19 games and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. He was 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season before being placed on the disabled list. The Reds and fantasy owners alike will be happy to get one of their best pitchers back, but it’s not entirely clear how it will go for him moving forward.

Cueto’s oblique injury was caused by his unorthodox mechanics that involves an “exaggerated turn” at the end of his delivery. He began throwing in this manner in 2011. Before tweaking his mechanics, Cueto had a career 4.27 ERA. Since tweaking them he has posted a fantastic career 2.58 ERA.

Cueto’s oblique injury has put him on the disabled list multiple times in the past few seasons. It even kept him from pitching in an important NLDS game last post-season. Cueto claims that he is going to consider tweaking his mechanics once again to avoid further injury. If he doesn’t change something, this nagging injury will likely come again. If he changes something, you just have to keep your fingers crossed that he will continue to pitch like an ace.

Cueto is a great pitcher, but an injury like this is causing a predicament for him moving forward. Pay attention to whether or not he changes his mechanics at all. If he doesn’t, it may not be the worst idea to trade the pitcher with the assumption that he will hurt himself again.

Top Five National League Pitchers to Draft in 2013

1. Clayton Kershaw

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw gave fantasy owners something to brag about during the 2012 season as he led the NL with a 2.53 ERA and a WHIP of 1.023.

Kershaw finished the 2012 season second in the NL with 229 strikeouts in 227.2 innings pitched.

Expect Kershaw to continue to impress as he is a prime candidate for the NL Cy Young award in 2013.

2. Stephen Strasburg

Washington Nationals fire-baller Stephen Strasburg was the only NL pitcher in 2012 to reach the 190 strikeout mark in less than 185 innings pitched, with 197 strikeouts in 159.1 innings.

Strasburg finished the 2012 season with a record of 15-6, adding a 2.79 ERA and a WHIP of 1.040.

Strasburg is arguably the top strikeout pitcher in the MLB. Look for him to put up career numbers in 2013, especially if the Nationals ease up on his inning count, allowing him to fully showcase his abilities. 

3. Matt Cain

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain is one of three pitchers in the MLB to throw a perfect game during the 2012 season.

The 28-year-old finished the 2012 second in the NL with a WHIP of 1.04, along with a 2.79 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 219.1 innings pitched.

Cain’s consistency, combined with San Francisco’s offensive prowess, puts him in line for another stellar season in 2013.

4. Gio Gonzalez

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez led the NL with 21 wins during the 2012 season.

Gonzalez sustained a 2.89 ERA in 199.1 innings pitched last season, with 207 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.13.

Although most of the hype in Washington these days surrounds Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg and 20-year-old phenom Bryce Harper, Gonzalez is a top-tier pitcher who would be considered the ace on most teams in the MLB.

Expect Gonzalez to put up big numbers in Washington for the second straight season.

5. Cole Hamels

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels fanned 216 batters last season, putting him third in strikeouts among all NL pitchers in 2012.

The 29-year-old lefty boasted a record of 17-6 in 2012, despite Philadelphia’s consistently dismal offensive performance all of last season.

Consider Hamels will be scooped up early in all fantasy leagues as his ceiling is as high as any pitcher in the MLB.

*** If you find yourself in a draft in which pitchers are flying off the board, rounding out the ladder of the top ten pitchers in the NL are as follows:

Johnny Cueto (Reds)

Zack Greinke (Dodgers)

Madison Bumgarner (Giants)

Mat Latos (Reds)       

Adam Wainwright (Cardinals)