Reds starter Finnegan heartbroken after latest injury

Disabled list probably inevitable for Finnegan, Price says

All of Brandon Finnegan’s hard work in his quest to return to the mound for the Cincinnati Reds resulted in four innings — officially three because he didn’t record an out in the fourth.

Finnegan left the game Monday in St. Louis after 58 pitches. He allowed three earned runs on three hits. He walked four. The Reds lost 8-2 to the Cardinals to fall a season-high 8½ games out of first place.

The pain on Finnegan’s last pitch forced him to stop throwing. Trainers and coaches visited the mound. His first start with the Reds since April 15 ended because of a strained left triceps muscle.

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On Tuesday in the Great American Ball Park clubhouse, Finnegan revisited the moment and talked about his future. The whole rehabilitation process begins again for the 24-year-old left-hander who was supposed to help stabilize the worst starting rotation in baseball. Reds starters have an ERA of 6.21. No other group of starters has an ERA over 5.78.

“It’s definitely heartbreaking for sure,” Finnegan said. “I was so excited to be back and be with the guys and try to get some innings in and get our bullpen a little rest. It backfired for sure. I’ll try to come in and start rehabbing and go from there.”

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An MRI last week showed Finnegan’s previous injury had healed. That’s why he returned from the disabled list after making three starts in the minor leagues with Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. This injury occurred in a different area in the same muscle.

“I was ready to pitch,” Finnegan said. “Everything was good honestly. This was just a freak accident.”

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The Reds didn’t place Finnegan on the disabled list Tuesday, though they likely will at some point this week. His next scheduled start would have been Saturday.

“I do think it’s going to be a while before we see Finnegan on the mound again,” manager Bryan Price said. “The DL is probably inevitable.”

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Finnegan said he’s trying to stay calm. He plans to get advice from the other veteran pitchers who have experienced long rehabs, Homer Bailey and Bronson Arroyo, in the next week.

“It’s very hard for me,” Finnegan said. “After seeing the MRI last week and seeing everything was 100 percent, to go out there yesterday and get hurt in the fourth inning, my mind’s racing. I don’t know how to think of it or how to go about it. I’ll get through it.”

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