Free-agent right-hander Johnny Cueto agreed to a contract with the Marlins, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The team has not confirmed the deal.
Finally fully healthy, Cueto — who turns 37 in February — put together an impressive 2022 campaign after battling injuries for much of the previous four seasons.
The veteran right-hander finished with a 3.35 ERA over 25 outings (24 starts) with the White Sox. It was an encouraging showing from Cueto, who had been battling arm issues since having his 2018 season cut short by Tommy John surgery.
Cueto returned in September 2019, making four starts down the stretch for the Giants. He then struggled in the pandemic-shortened ’20 season, putting up a career-worst 5.40 ERA in 12 starts.
The injury troubles returned in 2021, when Cueto missed nearly a month early in the season due to a right lat strain. He later missed two weeks with a right flexor strain, then — after just two starts following his return — Cueto landed back on the IL for a month with a strained right elbow.
Given his health concerns, Cueto had to settle for signing a Minor League deal with the White Sox just days before Opening Day last season. After spending a month in the Minors, he made his White Sox debut on May 16 — and he hit the ground running.
Although his strikeout numbers were well below his career average, Cueto found a way to get the job done in an injury-free 2022 season. He put up a 2.45 ERA in his first 17 starts, all while pitching at least six innings in all but one of those outings — and completing eight frames four times.
Cueto finished the season with a 3.35 ERA despite striking out only 102 batters in 158 1/3 innings. While his 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings was the lowest rate of his career, his 1.9 walks per nine was his second-best mark (1.8 in 2016).
Overall, Cueto enters 2023 with 143 wins and a 3.44 ERA over 15 seasons between the Reds, Giants, Royals and White Sox.
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