GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds were counting on Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan and Homer Bailey to recover from injuries and anchor a rotation that struggled without them last year.
Instead, they're heading toward Opening Day with major questions about two of them.
Anthony DeSclafani will almost certainly miss the March 29 opener - and more - with another strained oblique, but Brandon Finnegan said Monday his sore forearm is not serious and should not prevent him from being ready for the start of the season.
It's the third year in a row that DeSclafani has been hurt during spring training. He also suffered a strained left oblique before the 2016 season and was sidelined until June.
Manager Bryan Price said DeSclafani felt discomfort during his last spring appearance, and an exam found the problem. It's unclear how long he might be sidelined.
"I say that with nothing but frustration for Anthony and our club,'' Price said Sunday. "I feel bad for the kid. He worked his tail off to get ready. He did everything we asked of him and more."
DeSclafani finished the 2016 season with a 9-5 record with a 3.28 ERA and missed all of last season with a sprained elbow. DeSclafani won't be allowed to do any baseball activities until the injured muscle is healed, which makes it unlikely that he'll be ready to start the season.
"They want to get all the soreness out,'' Price said. "I'm sure there will be MRIs and ultrasounds to check his progress before he gets back to baseball activity."
Finnegan, who had just four starts last season because of back and shoulder injuries, was pulled from his Sunday start after just two batters.
Finnegan said Monday it was "a knot."
"They just decided it was a good idea to come out and not risk anything getting worse. So I came back and got it worked on. The knot's gone, and I feel fine," he said.
