Johnny Cueto did not have a very good game today, perhaps the worst of his professional career. Cueto generally throws strikes and a whole lot of them. Today, that was not the case as the Dominican Sensation threw 18 strikes and 23 balls during the first inning that he didn’t even make it out of.

Two-thirds of an inning, 3 hits allowed including a 3-run HR, 5 walks and no strikeouts led to a first inning exit for Cueto.  Every year pitchers go through a ‘dead arm’ period in spring training as they try to get their pitch counts up and generally it happens a little sooner than now, but I hope that is what is going on with Cueto. That type of game is nothing close to what we have seen from Cueto in his career as a minor leaguer.

It does open up the question of ‘Does this re-open competition for the rotation’? You have to assume that Harang-Arroyo-Fogg-Volquez are in there. That leaves up Cueto, Bailey and Belisle shooting for that final spot. Belisle and Bailey have had their share of struggles in spring while Cueto has been lights out up until today, but today was really ugly.

I think the spot is still Cueto’s to lose and he will get another start before the season begins to show that this was just a blip on the radar. If he struggles again though, I would not be surprised to see Belisle or even Bailey (if he has another good outing) take that final spot of the rotation and have Cueto head to Louisville. That said, I figure its just a blip on the radar and Cueto comes out next time and puts it to rest and locks up that spot in the rotation, wherever he ends up at 3-5.