Fairfield-Echo.com

ST. LOUIS — Paging Mario Soto, Mr. Mario Soto, please. That call has gone out from Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty to roving pitching instructor Mario Soto, at the prodding of manager Dusty Baker.

Johnny Cueto needs help, and his mentor, Soto, is the man to provide.

"I said during spring training that I would like Soto to pop in about once a month to be there for Cueto and Edinson Volquez," Baker said. "We need Mario on the job big-time. Mario practically raised Cueto as a pitcher, taught him the change-up."

Since holding Arizona to one hit and striking out 10 in his major-league debut April 3, Cueto is 0-3 over his last four starts with a 6.74 earned run average.

Baker said that during his last couple of starts the 22-year-old Cueto's change-up has been up in the zone and he has lost confidence in his slider.

Revamping the revamped

Speaking of Cueto, because of his troublesome start Tuesday (1 2/3 innings, seven runs, six earned) and eight hits, Baker and pitching coach Dick Pole have revamped the revamped rotation.

Originally, the rotation for the three-game series in Atlanta that begins Friday was to be Volquez, Matt Belisle and Cueto. Bronson Arroyo was pushed back until Tuesday, seven days of rest.

Change that. Arroyo now pitches Sunday in Atlanta on five days of rest and Cueto is pushed back to Tuesday — six days of rest.

"Based on his last couple of starts, this gives Cueto a little more time to collect his thoughts and to give him a couple of bullpen sessions instead of just one," Baker said.

Weathers on schedule

Disabled relief pitcher David Weathers, working on rehab at Class AAA Louisville, pitched a perfect inning Wednesday — 10 pitches, one strikeout.

It looks as if he'll be ready to come off the disabled list Monday when he is eligible and when the Reds return home to play the Chicago Cubs.

"The report I read said he didn't feel anything," Baker said. "He said he felt really good and as long as he doesn't feel any discomfort, there is a good chance he'll be back Monday. But don't ask him yet whose place he'll take."

Farm report

Class AAA Louisville was 16-11 in April, tying the franchise record for victories in the season's first month. Homer Bailey was 4-2 with a 2.29 ERA, Justin Lehr was 3-1, 2.20), Tom Shearn was 3-1, 4.15 and Jon Adkins had four saves and a 0.52 ERA. Jay Bruce led the Bats in hitting at .316 with five homers, 19 RBIs and six stolen bases, although he has struck out 23 times in 94 at-bats.

Quote of the day

"Are you kidding me? Really? That's hard to believe. We definitely have to change that." — Manager Dusty Baker when told that the Reds are 1-17 in their last 18 trips, coming home with only one winning trip of the last 18.

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