Angels Bringing Former All-Star Pitcher Back to MLB: Report

Jeremy Hanna | Aug 18, 2024

Jul 22, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels are bringing right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto back to Major League Baseball.

According to a recent report from MLB insider Héctor Gómez, the Angels have selected the contract of two-time All-Star Johnny Cueto from Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.

One of the greatest pitchers to never win a Cy Young Award, Cueto made his major league debut on April 3, 2008, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He threw 10 strikeouts and only recorded one hit, a home run to Justin Upton. He became the first player to debut with 10 strikeouts with no walks and the third to debut with 10 strikeouts and one hit.

In eight years with the Reds, Cueto had a 92-63 win-loss record with a 3.21 ERA and 1,115 strikeouts across 1,339 innings pitched. He threw 11 complete games and five shutouts. In 2014, he was named to his first All-Star team and was the strikeout leader in the National League.

Cueto was traded to the Kansas City Royals just before the trade deadline in 2015. In his home debut for Kansas City, he threw a four-hit complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers. He would throw his next complete game against the New York Mets in Game 2 of the World Series. The Royals would go on to win the whole thing.

After becoming a free agent, Cueto signed with the San Francisco Giants on December 16, 2015. He would remain with the club for six years and was named to a second All-Star team in 2016. 

During his time in San Francisco, Cueto had a 39-27 record with a 3.81 ERA and 539 strikeouts across 614 innings pitched. He also threw five complete games and two shutouts.

In 2018, Cueto required Tommy John surgery, ending his season early. He would attempt to return multiple times, but wouldn’t achieve the same success he had earlier in his career. 

Cueto remained in San Francisco until 2022 when he signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox. He was promoted to the major league on May 16. 

In 2023, Cueto signed a one-year contract with the Miami Marlins but experienced a bicep injury in his debut game. This would be his worst season, recording a 1-4 record with a 6.02 ERA and 39 strikeouts across 52.1 innings pitched. 

Now, after spending another year in the minor league, Cueto is ready to make a comeback. Hopefully, he’ll be able to bring his veteran experience to the Angels.

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