The Los Angeles Angels have a well-known player returning to Major League Baseball.
2-time All-Star Johnny Cueto set for Angels debut
A familiar face is making his Major League-return for the Los Angeles Angels. 16-year veteran and 38-year-old pitcher Johnny Cueto is set to make his season debut.
Cueto will start for the Angels on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals according to Erica Weston of Bally Sports West.
Cueto spent the beginning of this season in the Texas Rangers’ minor league system, but opted out of his contract in July in order to pursue a Major League opportunity. He then signed a minor league deal with the Angels before earning his recent promotion, and giving Cueto the chance to pitch in the Major League’s for a 17th consecutive season.
Last season, Cueto had a disappointing stint with the Miami Marlins, going 1-4 in 13 appearances with a 6.02 ERA.
While the Angels are already out of contention for a postseason spot, Cueto still has a chance to influence some of Los Angeles’ young pitchers like 23-year-old reliever Ben Joyce and and 24-year-old starter Reid Detmers.
It’s fitting that Cueto will make his season and team debut in Kansas City against the Royals. In 2015, the Royals traded for Cueto during the season and won the World Series, with Cueto pitching a complete game two-hit gem in Game 2.
Cueto, a two-time All-Star, began his career in 2008 with the Cincinnati Reds. He spent the first seven and a half years in Cincinnati, earning his first career All-Star berth in 2014 on his way to a dominant 20-win season while leading the National League with 243 2/3 innings and 242 strikeouts.
