Johnny Cueto will return to the major leagues on Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Angels finish their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Cueto, who helped the Royals win the World Series nearly ten years ago, will be making his first big league start since last September.
Angels manager Ron Washington announced before Tuesday night’s game that Cueto is being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to start. Cueto has not pitched in the majors since a disappointing season with Miami.
“I don’t know if he can come up here right now and start being a leader. He’s worried about being Cueto,” Washington said, “but if he happens to stay around, I think he definitely can influence our young kids.”
The Angels needed help in the rotation after placing Jose Soriano on the injured list with arm fatigue and losing Patrick Sandoval to elbow surgery earlier in the year.
Carson Fulmer, rookie Jack Kochanowicz, and Griffin Canning have been part of the rotation along with Tyler Anderson, who started in Kansas City on Tuesday night.
“I just want him to come in here and fit in,” Washington said. “I’m quite certain some of those young kids will flock to him, and he’ll give them the information that they ask for.
But as far as him coming up here today and influencing these kids, I don’t think you can do that right now. Because I can tell you, they don’t know who Johnny Cueto is. We know but I don’t think they do.”
Cueto struggled earlier this season at Triple-A Round Rock with the Rangers but was more effective after the Angels sent him to Salt Lake. He allowed eight runs on 27 hits and five walks in 23 1/3 innings there.
