Tony Cingrani's felt much better Wednesday, a day after he left with a lower back strain.

Cingrani will play catch Thursday and then throw a bullpen session Friday, at which point the Reds will know whether he'll be ready to make his next start. The left-hander is on record as saying he fully expects to be ready on Sunday against the Brewers.

Tony Cingrani (back) think he'll make his next scheduled start.

Cingrani left Tuesday's outing with a lower back strain, an injury he's actually dealt with for a while, but it appears to be a minor issue. Of course, it's not uncommon for players to feel overly optimistic shortly after injuries, so we'll have to see how he recovers over the next few days.

Tony Cingrani left Tuesday's start against the Diamondbacks with a lower back strain.

It's not clear at this point whether his next start might be in jeopardy, but more should be known after the game. Cingrani allowed one run on two hits and a walk over 3 2/3 innings before exiting. With Johnny Cueto (lat) not close to returning, the Reds might have to use Greg Reynolds should Cingrani need to miss time.

Tony Cingrani left Tuesday's start against the Diamondbacks with an undisclosed injury.

The Reds' trainer came out to check on Cingrani after he gave up a two-out double to Aaron Hill and he eventually escorted the lefty from the mound. Cincy should provide an update on Cingrani's status shortly. Alfredo Simon came in for the southpaw Tuesday.

Tony Cingrani struck out nine while allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings in the Reds' 2-1 win over the Brewers on Thursday.

Continue to enjoy it while it lasts; Cingrani is looking at a move to the bullpen once Johnny Cueto returns. In the meantime, he's at least a top-40 fantasy starter. He's now fanned 111 batters in 94 innings this season. Among pitchers with at least 90 innings, only Yu Darvish had a higher strikeout rate.

Tony Cingrani gave up two (unearned) runs in the Reds' loss to the Padres on Saturday evening.

Cingrani was let down by his defense, especially three-error man Jack Hannahan. The young left-hander allowed only two actual hits and struck out five. He'll carry a sharp 5-2 record, 2.87 ERA and 1.10 WHIP into his next scheduled outing at Milwaukee's Miller Park.

Tony Cingrani allowed three runs while striking out seven over five innings in a win against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Cingrani was his usual inefficient self, needing 103 pitches to get through five-plus innings. He struck out seven but walked five and gave up four hits. Still, the lefty is now 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings. Due to strange scheduling over the next week, Cingrani's next start may not come until Saturday against the Padres.

Tony Cingrani threw seven scoreless innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Dodgers.

He only allowed one hit and finished with 11 strikeouts, but the Reds couldn't provide him with any run support. Cingrani has a 2.90 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season and continues to pitch effectively with Johnny Cueto on the disabled list. His next start with come Saturday vs. the Cardinals.

Tony Cingrani held the Giants to two runs over 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 9-3 win.

Cingrani only struck out two, but he permitted just five hits while walking three, throwing a career-high 118 pitches. The left-hander has dealt with control issues of late, having walked 18 over his last 26 2/3 frames, but he's been able to limit the damage for the most part. He'll bring a 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP into Los Angeles this weekend.

Reds recalled LHP Tony Cingrani from Triple-A Louisville.

Cingrani will get the ball in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Giants. Because he's the designated 26th man, he'll be sent back down after the game but is allowed to return this weekend for his next start.

Reds optioned LHP Tony Cingrani to AZL Reds.

The Reds are just keeping Cingrani on his regular turn so he can return to start in the doubleheader next Tuesday against the Giants. Neftali Soto will take his place on the roster for now.

Tony Cingrani allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits over four innings in a no-decision against the Braves on Sunday.

He struck out five and walked three. Cingrani wasn't efficient, requiring 96 pitches to log 12 outs, but his bullpen was up to the task of protecting an early lead. The rookie left-hander ends an encouraging first half 3-1 with a 3.23 and 1.14 WHIP in 64 innings over 15 appearances (10 starts). He should be owned in all formats.

Tony Cingrani allowed two runs while striking out 10 in seven innings but took the loss against the Brewers on Tuesday.

Cingrani made one mistake that Logan Schafer deposited for a two-run homer, but the lefty allowed just three hits and two walks total on the night. It was Cingrani's first loss on the year, and he owns a respectable 3.30 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 72:23 K:BB ratio through 60 innings. His last start before the All-Star break will come Sunday against the Braves in Atlanta.

Tony Cingrani allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Wednesday.

Cingrani worked into and out of trouble, walking four while allowing four hits on the night. He also struck out five and gave up a two-run homer to Tony Abreu for the Giants' only two runs of the game. It was his first start since June 11, and he'll continue to start in Johnny Cueto's absence. His next will come against the Brewers in Milwaukee on Monday.

Tony Cingrani has moved back into the Reds' rotation.

Johnny Cueto is headed to the disabled list and Cingrani will fill his spot. The 23-year-old lefty has a 3.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 57/17 K/BB ratio in 47 1/3 innings this season and should be added again in fantasy leagues.

Reds manager Dusty Baker confirmed Monday that Tony Cingrani will remain in the majors as a reliever.

The assumption was that Cingrani would head back down to the minors when Johnny Cueto was ready to return from the disabled list, but the Reds have a need in the bullpen with both Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton both sidelined. "He fills what we need," said Baker. "We need a power arm in the bullpen, and a left-hander."

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that the club considered keeping Tony Cingrani as a reliever, but decided that it's not the best move for his development.

Cingrani allowed two runs in seven innings Tuesday in a win over the Cubs, but he's expected to head back to the minors now that Johnny Cueto (shoulder) is slated to return from the DL. While the young left-hander could be an option for the bullpen later in the season, he'll continue to start every fifth day in the minors for now.

Tony Cingrani went seven innings, allowing two runs, to pick up the win as the Reds beat the Cubs on Tuesday.

The start was Cingrani's first with the club since May 17 but the left-hander didn't miss a beat, limiting the Cubs to four hits and a walk in his seven innings. He struck out five and now has 46 strikeouts in 40 major league innings. It's hard to see how the Reds will demote this guy a second time if he continues to pitch this well. His next turn will come Sunday at home against the Brewers.

Reds recalled LHP Tony Cingrani from Triple-A Louisville.

He'll get the start Tuesday against the Cubs and will hold down a rotation spot until Johnny Cueto (lat) is ready. Cingrani boasts a 3.27 ERA and 41/9 K/BB ratio over 33 innings and is worth using in mixed leagues while he's up.

The Reds will call up left-hander Tony Cingrani to start Tuesday against the Cubs.

This has been the assumption for a few days, but it's now official. Cingrani pitched well in his first taste of the majors earlier this year, posting a 3.27 ERA and 41/9 K/BB ratio over 33 innings. He's worth a look in mixed fantasy leagues while Johnny Cueto is sidelined.