Proper-hander Johnny Cueto elected free company after being designated for project by the Angels, per transaction log at MLB.com. That signifies he first went unclaimed on waivers after which rejected an outright project to the minors.
Cueto signed a minor league take care of the Angels in late July and was chosen to the massive league roster a month later. He tossed a high quality begin towards the Royals in his first outing as an Angel earlier than being tagged for six runs in 5 innings versus Detroit in his second begin. Cueto pitched a complete of 11 1/3 innings for the Halos, gave up 9 runs (4 homers) and posted a 6-to-3 Okay/BB ratio. That efficiency got here on the heels of a pleasant run with Triple-A Salt Lake, the place he posted a 3.09 ERA and 15-to-5 Okay/BB ratio in 4 begins — a complete of 23 1/3 innings. This yr’s 91 mph common fastball was down from final season however not a career-low mark and never all that totally different from the 91.3 mph he averaged from 2018-22.
Different golf equipment across the league can now mull a pickup of Cueto down the stretch in the event that they’re searching for some veteran rotation depth. He received’t be eligible for any staff’s playoff roster if he indicators at this level, nevertheless. It’s doable Cueto merely waits till the offseason to signal one other contract — assuming he’s intent on persevering with his pitching profession into his age-39 season.
The 2023-24 seasons have been powerful for the previous All-Star. Cueto has been tagged for six.22 ERA in 63 2/3 innings throughout the previous two seasons, spending time with each the Marlins and Angels (along with a minor league run with the Rangers earlier this yr). His ’23 marketing campaign was impacted by a biceps harm that restricted him to 11 begins.
As just lately as 2022, Cueto was a high quality large league hurler, making 24 begins for the White Sox and recording a 3.35 earned run common in 158 1/3 innings with a 15.7% strikeout charge and 5.1% stroll charge. And, after all, Cueto was one of many sport’s steadiest and most-productive pitchers in his peak. From 2010-16 the right-hander piled up 1294 2/3 innings of two.86 ERA ball, placing out 20.6% of his opponents towards a 6.2% stroll charge. He had three top-six Cy Younger finishes, two All-Star nods and received a World Sequence ring with the 2015 Royals alongside the best way. In 2256 1/3 profession innings, Cueto sports activities a 3.52 ERA and 144-113 document.
