[Bolt]

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who has been ill for nearly two weeks, was diagnosed with mononucleosis Friday.

The right-hander has been suffering from a cough and flulike symptoms, and chest X-rays and blood tests taken Thursday revealed he had mono. The original concern was that he might have valley fever, a fungal infection found in desert regions of the Southwest.


Mononucleosis is a viral disease that is marked by fatigue, fever and a sore throat. There are no drugs to cure mono; the only treatments are rest and medications to alleviate the symptoms, which usually dissipate in four to eight weeks.


Arroyo told MLB.com in a text message Friday night that he did not expect to miss any starts, despite the diagnosis.

Arroyo was scratched from a start on March 21 because manager Dusty Baker was concerned about his health. Baker also pushed him back from second to third in the rotation for the regular season, giving him a little extra time to recuperate.


In four major league exhibition games this spring, Arroyo has a 5.14 ERA. He threw 87 pitches in 5 2/3 innings during a minor league game Thursday and said he felt better.

He has one more spring training start, scheduled for Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians.

Its one thing after another with Arroyo it seems...

[Scotty doesn't know]

My goodness!! The Reds have not had any breaks in the off season. Rotation is getting a thin now.

[Stardust]

^ Especially with pitching. The Pitching staff is decimated with issues right now.