Ahead of Cincinnati series, Texas Rangers reach minor-league deal with ex-Red Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto, a starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds for the first eight seasons of his Major League Baseball career, agreed Tuesday to a minor-league deal with the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers, the team announced.
Cueto is expected to report to the club's complex in Surprise, Arizona. The Rangers are scheduled to host the Reds for three games April 26th (Friday) through the 28th (Sunday).
Cueto turned 38 years old in February. In 13 appearances last season for the Miami Marlins, he posted a 6.02 ERA, and allowed 17 home runs in 52 1/3 innings with 39 strikeouts and 15 walks.
In his only start against the Reds last season, Cueto allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts in five innings in a no-decision at Great American Ball Park.
Cueto was an All-Star for the Reds in 2014, and in his first season with the San Francisco Giants in 2016. His manager for four seasons in San Francisco was Bruce Bochy, who currently manages the Rangers.
Cueto also was a teammate of Rangers general manager Chris Young on the 2015 Kansas City Royals.
From 2008 to 2015, Cueto was 92-63 with a 3.21 ERA in 213 starts as a Red. He allowed just 135 home runs over 1339 innings in Cincinnati, finishing fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting in 2012 and second in 2014.
Johnny Cueto chose the Rangers for two primary reasons, I’m told: He wants to pitch for a contender, and he has a strong relationship with Bruce Bochy. Cueto spent four seasons pitching for Bochy in San Francisco. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 23, 2024
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Johnny Cueto agrees to minor-league deal with Texas Rangers
