© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Cueto has been placed on the 60-day disabled list after suffering an elbow strain last week. The Giants will move right-handed reliever Jose Valdez into Cueto’s spot on the 40-man roster.
Cueto is expected to miss at least 6-8 weeks, setting his earliest return date around late June.
Last Tuesday, Cueto suffered elbow inflammation and was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Positive news came after a meeting with doctors: Cueto had not suffered a major tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. It is believed he will not need Tommy John surgery.
But the news of Cueto’s extended absence exacerbates one of the most brutal injury bugs you will see in the first month-and-a-half of a season. Madison Bumgarner is continuing to recover from a broken left pinky he suffered during his final Spring Training start. The Giants ace has thrown recently, though not in a game setting. He is projected to throw a bullpen next week before making a rehab minor league start in two weeks, setting his return date at around a month.
Cueto was dominant in his first five starts of the 2018 season, compiling a 3-0 record with a 0.84 ERA. Without him and Bumgarner, the Giants will have to find quality outings from struggling veterans and inexperienced newcomers. Jeff Samardzija has wilted after returning from a pectoral strain, producing a 9.24 ERA in his past three starts.
The Giants have been outscored 26-5 in the past three games, all losses, entering Thursday’s series finale at Philadelphia.