Johnny

Cueto

Cueto has declined the assignment and become a free agent. The 38-year-old was 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA in his two starts for the Angels.

The 38-year-old right-hander is cut loose again after posting a 7.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 6/3 K/BB ratio over 11 1/3 innings in two starts with the Angels. It’s unclear if Cueto will look to latch on elsewhere and continue pitching or if this may have been his final act in the big leagues.

The 38-year-old right-hander punched out five batters on the evening while allowing one base on balls. Cueto kept the Tigers off the board through the first three innings until they scratched out a pair in the fourth. He then served up a go-ahead solo homer to Jake Rogers in the fifth inning. Cueto also returned for the sixth and allowed a leadoff homer to Riley Greene and a two-run blast to Kerry Carpenter before exiting. He got eight whiffs on 83 pitches on the evening, posting a CSW of 25 percent. It’s hard to envision Cueto continuing to be a better option that Reid Detmers for the Angels’ rotation, so another start over the weekend certainly isn’t guaranteed.

Cueto made his debut with the Angels on Wednesday in his first start since September of last year. He gave the Angels six solid innings, pitching into the seventh after giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out just one. While impressive for the veteran right-hander, he should be avoided for fantasy purposes. The 38-year-old right-hander is currently in line for his second start against the Tigers in Detroit on Tuesday.

Once again, the 38-year-old hurler has worked his way back to the big leagues. He looked decent in four starts at Triple-A Salt Lake, registering a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 15/5 K/BB ratio over 23 1/3 frames. He’s long past his prime for fantasy purposes though and he is not a recommended streaming option against the Royals on Wednesday evening.

Angels manager Ron Washington made it official that Cueto will make his season debut on Wednesday after posting a respectable 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 15/5 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for Triple-A Salt Lake. The 38-year-old grizzled veteran is still a highly-recognizable name, but his days as a relevant fantasy option are well in the past.

Bryan Shaw then finished the shutout, which featured two pitchers with a combined 30 seasons of major league experience. Cueto hasn’t added to that total this year, having gone 5-1 with a 4.85 ERA in 12 starts in the minors. Still, he might make a cameo in September.

The well-traveled 38-year-old right-hander has been looking for work since he opted out of his contract with the Rangers on July 2. The Angels certainly have a need in their starting rotation, so if he’s looking for the clearest path back to the big leagues, this may be it. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Cueto pushed back his original deadline, but after not being added to the MLB roster, the right-hander will now take a look at the free agent waters. He registered a 5.71 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 41 innings with Triple-A Round Rock, but teams in need of pitching help — of which there are many — might give the veteran right-hander a look to see if he can help the bottom of a rotation.

Cueto’s opt-out dates are now June 14 and July 1. The right-hander can now trigger a clause on those dates where he has to be added to the MLB roster or granted his release from the team. Cueto has posted a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings in the minors, and considering the injury issues involving the Texas rotation, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 38-year-old get a chance.