JOHNNY CUETO NEWS

Reports: Johnny Cueto agrees to minor league deal with Rangers With a goal of participating in his 17th major league season, veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto agreed to a minor league deal with the World...

APRIL 23 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Free agent after option declined The Marlins declined Cueto's $10.5 million option for 2024 on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact Cueto will get a $2.5 buyout and is now a free agent. The 37-year-old hurler struggled during his lone season in Miami, collecting a 6.02 ERA over 13 appearances (10 starts). Cueto might have to settle for a minor-league contract this offseason if he wants to continue his career.

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not on Wild Card roster Cueto is not on the Marlins' roster for their Wild Card Series matchup against the Phillies.

Impact Cueto logged only 52.1 innings (10 starts, three relief appearances) for Miami during the 2023 regular season while struggling to a 6.02 ERA. The 37-year-old right-hander carries a $10.5 million club option (or $2.5 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

No-decision in twin bill Cueto came away with a no-decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in a 4-2 win for the...

Impact The veteran right-hander exited the game after 73 pitches (47 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, and both runs came on solo shots by Francisco Lindor. Cueto continues to have difficulty keeping the ball in the park -- since the beginning of August, he's served up 13 long balls in only 36.1 innings, leading to a 6.44 ERA -- but this time he avoided serving them up with runners on base. The Marlins head into Thursday tied with the Cubs for the final wild-card spot in the NL, and should a playoff berth still be on the line, Cueto could be available for the final game of the regular season Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will start nightcap Wednesday Cueto will start for the Marlins in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Cueto's last two appearances have come in relief and he's managed just a 6.64 ERA in nine starts this season. The Marlins' hands are tied, though, between injuries and Tuesday's rainout, so they'll give Cueto another shot. Miami has not yet announced any of their starters for their weekend series in Pittsburgh, but it will be all hands on deck.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Works out of bullpen again Cueto made a one-inning appearance in relief in Friday's 16-1 loss to the Brewers, retiring the side on six pitches.

Impact After failing to deliver a quality start while logging a 6.69 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over a stretch of seven outings, Cueto appears to have been moved to the bullpen. He's made both of his two appearances this week as a reliever, with Friday's cameo coming after he gave up two earned runs over two innings while mopping up in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Mets. Edward Cabrera appears poised to stick around as Miami's No. 5 starter while Cueto has been relegated to a relief role.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Early exit against Atlanta Cueto allowed three earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out two across four innings Friday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.

Impact Cueto got through his first two innings unscathed but struggled to conclude the outing, including serving up a solo home run to Michael Harris to lead off the third frame. Since returning from the injured list, he's allowed 11 earned runs across 12.2 frames and three starts. Cueto has also failed to work more than four innings in either of his last two appearances.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Early exit in Saturday's loss Cueto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins were downed 8-4 by the Phillies, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

Impact All five runs scored in a disastrous second inning that put Miami in a hole its offense couldn't climb out of, and Cueto got the hook in the fourth after 92 pitches (61 strikes). It's the first time in seven starts the 37-year-old righty has failed to complete five innings, but he hasn't exactly been effective over that stretch, posting a 5.84 ERA through 37 innings thanks to 10 homers allowed despite a solid 1.22 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB. The Marlins remain in the NL wild-card hunt, sitting 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the third and final spot heading into Sunday, but unless Sandy Alcantara (forearm) makes a heroic return, Cueto isn't likely to be dropped from the rotation. He faces a potentially tough matchup in his next outing, as he lines up to take the mound next weekend in a home series against Atlanta.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs first win Cueto (1-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.

Impact Cueto allowed one run through the first four innings before surrendering solo homers in the fifth and sixth. However, by that point Miami had already backed the veteran right-hander with plenty of run support to help him seal up his first win of the 2023 campaign. Cueto still has not allowed more than four runs in any start this season though he's now given up at least three runs in five straight. He's also surrendered two home runs in three consecutive outings and in four of his last five.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated ahead of start The Marlins activated Cueto (illness) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact A viral infection sent Cueto to the IL on Aug. 21, but he will be able to return to the Marlins' rotation after a minimum-length stay. The 37-year-old righty has put up a 5.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 28.1 innings across his last five starts.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing live BP Cueto (illness) threw live batting practice Tuesday in Miami, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

Impact It was his first time facing hitters since he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 21 because of a viral infection. Cueto appears on track to return to the Marlins' starting rotation by early next week, assuming he does not require a minor-league rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander has posted a 5.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across just 32.1 major-league innings for Miami in 2023.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Wednesday Cueto (illness) was spotted playing catch on the field Wednesday prior to the Marlins' game in San Diego, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact Cueto was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday after falling ill due to a viral infection, but the fact that he remained on the Marlins' road trip and is now playing catch just two days later offers hope that he'll be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf. The Marlins have off days coming up Thursday and next Monday and should be able to get by with a four-man rotation until Cueto potentially makes his return from the IL over Labor Day weekend.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to injured list Cueto was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a viral infection, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact It's unclear exactly what is ailing Cueto, but it will prevent him from making his next scheduled start, and perhaps more time beyond that.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged for five runs in no-decision Cueto did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Houston. He struck out three.

Impact After cruising through his first three frames, Cueto surrendered two runs on a Yainer Diaz homer in the fourth before the Astros added three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Cueto's now allowed three or more runs in each of his last four outings. The veteran right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across six starts (32.1 innings) this season. Cueto will look to get into the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in San Diego.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows three runs over five frames Cueto did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against the Reds while striking out five.

Impact Cueto cruised through the first three innings before surrendering three consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth, two of which left the park to put the Reds up 3-1. The right-hander did manage to get out of the inning, however, and managed to log at least five innings Wednesday for the fourth straight start. Over that stretch he's recorded a solid 22:5 K:BB, though he's now allowed five home runs over his last three outings. Cueto will look to grab his first win of the season next week when the Marlins take on the Astros at home.

AUGUST 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes third loss Cueto (0-3) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against Philadelphia. He struck out four.

Impact Cueto got himself into trouble in the top of the second after walking Nick Castellanos to start the inning. The right-handed veteran then served up a hanging cutter to J.T. Realmuto two batters later, leading to a two-run shot to put the Marlins down 2-0. Cueto would actually go on to shut out the Phillies over the next four innings before surrendering back-to-back singles and a walk to open the seventh, which led to two more runs coming home. He's now allowed four runs in each of his last two starts, though he's also made it through six innings in three straight.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cueto's performance encouraging despite series loss MIAMI -- With a quick turnaround after a long night on Wednesday, the Marlins were hoping for Johnny Cueto to pitch deep into the game on Th...

AUGUST 3, 2023 • MLB.COM

Allows two homers in loss Cueto (0-2) took the loss Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings against Detroit. He struck out five.

Impact Most of the damage against Cueto came in the top of the second inning when he surrendered a three-run blast to Akil Baddoo to put the Marlins in an early hole. The right-hander would then give up a second home run to Riley Greene to lead off the sixth before eventually being tagged with his second loss in four starts this season. On a positive note, Cueto has now gone six innings in back-to-back starts, posting a 13:2 K:BB over that stretch.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets another start Cueto is listed as the Marlins' probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Tigers at LoanDepot Park.

Impact Rather than bringing back standout rookie Eury Perez from the minors to step back in as their fifth starter, the Marlins will turn to Cueto make a second straight turn through the rotation. Though he was hit hard in his first start of the season with the Marlins on April 3 and then continued to struggle during an extended minor-league rehab assignment, Cueto has been surprisingly effective since being activated from the 60-day injured list July 10. After tossing three scoreless innings in relief July 16 in Baltimore, Cueto picked up a start last Saturday against the Rockies and struck out eight over six innings of one-run ball.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant over six frames Cueto did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over six innings in a 4-3 loss against the Rockies. He struck out eight.

Impact Cueto had it going early, retiring the first eight batters he faced, five by way of strikeout, as the Marlins took a 1-0 lead. The veteran righty would only allow four baserunners over his six innings of work while recording a season-high eight strikeouts. Cueto had previously recorded just one strikeout through his only two appearances coming into Saturday and is still searching for his first win following the impressive outing.

JULY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cueto pitches like vintage self in first start off IL MIAMI -- During the Marlins’ season-long eight-game skid, the club has looked for someone to stop the bleeding. For six-plus innings of Satu...

JULY 22, 2023 • MLB.COM

Starting Saturday vs. Rockies Cueto is starting Saturday against the Rockies, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The veteran most recently pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen July 16 in Baltimore, so he should be stretched out enough to qualify for the win if he pitches well Saturday. However, Cueto has 14 strikeouts in 29 minor-league innings and one strikeout in four innings in the big leagues, so he will be attempting to get by generating weak contact and there is limited fantasy upside due to the lack of strikeouts. Cueto could transition back to a long-relief role when Eury Perez is brought back from Triple-A, perhaps as early as next week.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Cueto (biceps) was activated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Per Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, the plan is to use Cueto in relief, at least initially. Given the veteran righty's poor lone start for the Marlins early on this season and a 10.24 ERA in seven rehab outings, it makes sense to deploy Cueto in long relief for now.

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back after break Cueto (biceps) will be activated from the 60-day injured list after the All-Star break Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Mish notes that Cueto's role is not yet determined, although the Marlins opened up a spot in the rotation when they sent down Eury Perez on Friday. Cueto has missed most of this season with a biceps injury and has not pitched well on his rehab assignment, having allowed 18 runs over 15.1 innings in three starts with Triple-A Jacksonville. He'll make what's expected to be his final rehab start with Jacksonville on Saturday.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another rehab start coming Cueto (biceps/ankle) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Jacksonville, FishOnFirst.com reports.

Impact Cueto has already made six starts over the course of two separate minor-league rehab assignments and built up to six innings and 94 pitches in his most recent outing Monday, but the Marlins aren't yet eager to open up a spot in the rotation for a pitcher who has compiled a 10.50 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB over 24 frames between Jacksonville and Double-A Pensacola. The 37-year-old may need a strong showing Saturday to make a compelling case for the playoff-contending Marlins to activate him from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE