San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto will likely miss his at least next scheduled start on Sunday versus the San Diego Padres on Sunday due to grade one groin strain.

Cueto underwent a MRI in Los Angeles today after he left his start yesterday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers early due to the strain.

The good news for the Giants is that with Cueto’s hamstring strain only being a grade one strain, he should be able to return before the season ends and be ready for the playoffs – assuming the Giants make it that far.

San Francisco has yet to announce who will be starting in Cueto’s place on Sunday with him unlikely to pitch, but Jake Peavy, Matt Cain, Ty Blach will be available to start the game if need be. Peavy has not started a game since June, and had not appeared in a game since September 11 until tonight.

Cuteo, who signed a six-year, $130 million deal that includes an opt-clause following the 2017 season, has been exceptional alongside Madison Bumgarner for the Giants in 2016. He is 17-5 on the year with a 2.79 earned run average and 187 strikeouts over 212.2 innings of work.

[twitter-follow screen_name='tony_montalto' show_count='yes']