Mike Leake ready to be replacement for Johnny Cueto if Cincinnati Reds decide – NLDS News
Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Mike Leake said on Tuesday, October 9, he is ready to replace Johnny Cueto, if need arises. Cueto was diagnosed with a right oblique strain, making it almost impossible to return in the remainder of NLDS games.
"If Cueto is not ready, it's probably [Mat] Latos or me," Leake said on Tuesday after the revelation that Cueto has right oblique strain.
However, the Reds have been pretty cautious all this while. There does not seem to be any rush as far as the announcement of the replacement is concerned. The Reds are weighing the possibilities and oddities in face of replacing Cueto at this point in time.
If he is to be replaced, the rules suggest that he will be rendered ineligible to play in the National League Championship Series – provided the Reds qualify for that. Cueto remained exceptionally effective in the regular season with his outstanding performance.
It is here that Leake figures in, having challenges on his shoulder. "Any time you can get an opportunity to help us move on to the next round, it's awesome," Leake said. "We'll see what happens."
The Reds are to decide the name of the starter for Game 4. Choices available at the moment are Mat Latos and Mike Leake. Baker is dealing with the entire issue with patience and sagacity to avoid any risk as far as the next playoffs are concerned.
"It's very difficult, but it all depends if your ace can't go, or whatever it is," Baker said. "So you have to go with the healthy bodies. You hate missing, that's part of the consideration, you know, is us going without [Cueto]. We realize what's at stake, and that's part of the decision if a guy can -- if we think he's going to be able to go in the next series."
Now that the choice is to be made, it will be interesting to see whom the Reds eventually decide to bring in here in the National League Division Series. Whether they keep Cueto or opt for Leake is to be decided in a few days.
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