Johnny Cueto will start for Angels in series finale against Royals
The well-traveled Cueto, who helped Kansas City win a World Series title in 2015, will fill the rotation void temporarily created when Jose Soriano went on the IL with arm fatigue
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the Angels filed into their Kauffman Stadium clubhouse on Tuesday, Johnny Cueto’s No. 36 jersey was hanging in place.
Manager Ron Washington confirmed prior to the middle game of the series against the Kansas City Royals that the well-traveled Cueto will start in Wednesday’s series finale, filling the rotation void temporarily created when Jose Soriano went on the injured list because of arm fatigue.
Cueto will take the mound in the ballpark he called home in 2015 when Cueto helped the Royals win a World Series title.
“He can pitch,” Washington said. “He might not be the Johnny Cueto of five, six, seven years ago, but he has knowledge and wisdom. He reads swings and hopefully we can get something out of him.”
Cueto, 38, had been pitching at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he allowed just two runs over 12⅓ innings in his last two starts. When he throws his first pitch on Wednesday, it will mark the 17th consecutive season that Cueto has pitched in the major leagues.
A two-time All-Star, Cueto was willing to spend an extended period in the minors in hopes that he would get another opportunity to stand on a major league mound.
“Twenty is in his reach. Maybe 25, but 20 for sure,” Washington said. “And the (22) stolen bases. That’s quite an accomplishment for a first-time full year.”
Neto pondered the possibility of a 20-20 season when he laid out big-picture goals prior to the season.
“That was definitely one of my goals coming into spring training,” Neto said. “As the year has gone on, I haven’t really thought about it. Just trying to do everything I can to help the team win.”
As a young player with plenty of room for growth, Neto has shown the potential to evolve into a 30-30 performer.
About The Author
