Reports: Johnny Cueto agrees to minor league deal with Rangers

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd April, 19:09 2024

Sep 2, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws to the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. credits: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

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 Series champion Texas Rangers, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Cueto, 38, will be trying to pitch in the major leagues for his fourth organization in four seasons, and sixth overall, after he made 13 appearances (10 starts) for the Miami Marlins last season and 25 appearances (24 starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2022. He finished the last of his six seasons with the San Francisco Giants in 2021.

In 368 career appearances (363 starts), Cueto is 144-111 with a 3.50 ERA for the Cincinnati Reds (2008-15), Kansas City Royals (2015), Giants, White Sox and Marlins. He was 1-4 with a 6.02 ERA for Miami in 2023, missing time with a biceps injury and a viral infection.

Cueto finished in the top six of National League Cy Young Award voting three times, including a runner-up finish in 2014 as a member of the Reds, when he earned one of his two All-Star Game nods.

With the Royals, Cueto made just 13 starts but helped the club to the 2015 World Series title.

—Field Level Media