Reds' Cingrani back in starting role for Bats

When Tony Cingrani heads to the mound Tuesday for the Louisville Bats, he'll concentrate on mixing his pitches and building up arm strength.

They're both basics for a major-leaguer returning to his craft. But to the lefty, at this point it feels like "there's just a lot of (stuff) to get right."

Cingrani first went to the disabled list in June with a sore non-throwing shoulder. A combination of that strain, plus some back spasms, recently sent him back.

And so a promising season started in the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen has come to this, another try at a rehab stint with the Bats, who cap their home stand against the Durham Bulls at 7:05 p.m.

As for all that, uh, stuff: "It needs to add up, and it's just not adding up," Cingrani said.

The 26-year-old, a regular in the Reds' rotation in 2013 and 2014, is 0-3 with a 4.85 ERA this season.

All but one of his 25 appearances have come in relief, the exception on July 22 when he was called up to cap a day-night doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs. Cingrani surrendered a five-run lead. It was back to Louisville.

But he entered that game having not allowed a run in four appearances at Triple-A. With the Bats, he totaled six hits, six walks and 18 strikeouts in 14 innings.

This time around, Cingrani will "be on a short rope," said Bats manager Delino DeShields. Pitching coach Ted Power will decide when he has seen enough in the first start back.

"It's mostly about how he looks and how the ball's coming out of his hand," DeShields said. "We'll be slow with it the first few times coming out. He's not going to go five innings."

After dealing starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake before the trade deadline, the Reds have overhauled their rotation. Younger pitchers may hit inning limits, opening up chances for Cingrani in the majors.

"Hopefully," DeShields added, "we can build him up to where by the end of the season he can start a few games in Cincinnati."