PEORIA, Ariz. -- Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani arrived to Spring Training intending to get past the injuries that plagued his 2017 season. Now, it looks like he'll be dealing with another setback as the clock ticks toward Opening Day in a couple of weeks.
Reds manager Bryan Price revealed to reporters Sunday prior to the Reds game against the Mariners in Peoria that DeSclafani has a left oblique strain, which he suffered in his last outing.
It is too early to set a timetable in DeSclafani's rehab schedule or return to the field, but Price acknowledged this type of injury has to be given time to heal.
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"The first thing will be to get the soreness out," Price said. "I'm sure there will be regular MRIs or ultrasounds to see how the healing is going before he returns to baseball activity. It's one of those things that can be exacerbated if you don't give it enough time."
DeSclafani, who missed ample time last season with an elbow issue, was all but guaranteed a spot in the Reds rotation presuming he came out of Spring Training healthy. According to Price, DeSclafani brought the oblique issue to the attention of the training staff after his outing on Friday against the Rangers. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit.
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"Total frustration for Anthony and our club," Price said. "I really feel bad for the kid because he's worked his tail off to be ready. This kid has done everything we've asked and more to be ready to go. There's no lack of preparation. He couldn't have done more to be ready to pitch."
The loss of DeSclafani was just the first blow the rotation endured on Sunday. Two batters into his start against the Mariners, lefty Brandon Finnegan walked off the mound with a team trainer. The official announcement was Finnegan has a lateral left forearm spasm.