Reds notes: Jeff Hoffman anticipates next step toward returning to the Reds pitching staff

Over his first five starts of the season, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jeff Hoffman had a 3.33 ERA.

In April, Hoffman's slider was one of the more effective pitches in the Reds starting rotation, and he was averaging about five innings per start.

Then inflammation started building in his shoulder. Hoffman had a 6.48 ERA in his five starts in May, and he went on the injured list at the end of the month with a right shoulder impingement.

Hoffman has missed about five weeks, but on Sunday he said he feels healthy and ready to return to game action.

“I feel much more like what I felt in the first month and month-and-a-half of the season,” Hoffman said. “I feel like the injury crept in my head and…