Giants righty Johnny Cueto has been on a relatively aggressive timetable in his effort to work back from Tommy John surgery. He’s still on track for a possible return to the majors this September, as Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group reports.
The 33-year-old Cueto was turning in good results last year when he went down, making it through 53 frames of 3.23 ERA ball. But his velocity was down and the peripherals painted a different picture. His outlook soured quite a bit more when it was determined he’d require a replacement ulnar collateral ligament last August.
Expectations will be modest, but there’s still quite a bit at stake here for the San Francisco organization. Cueto is earning $21MM annually through the 2021 season, with a $5MM buyout due thereafter on a $22MM club option. It’s tough to imagine he’ll be worth anything close to his annual salary moving forward, but every bit of contribution will help the club to stomach its already-fixed financial commitment.
Cueto is still working out at the Giants’ Arizona facility, so he’ll hop over to Chase Field for a ’pen session while the club is in town. If all continues to go well, says Crowley, Cueto could embark upon a rehab assignment in August and be back in the bigs for the final month of the season. That would represent a fast-tracked, though hardly unprecedented return. While the Giants won’t have much to play for, seeing him in action could at least help with the offseason planning.
Dont see much reason to rush him..
Terrible picther. Met pitcheRS NEVER GET INJURED AND WE ACTUALLY MAKE THE WORLD SERIES THIS DECADE.
They really need to look at how the mets pitch.
I think you need to check out how he pitched against the Cubs Game 1 2016 playoffs.
One game is an exception.
your caps lock had a malfunction after pitche and returned to normal form after DECADE. weird
reported for mocking my disabilitES
Being a mets fan is a disability. shouldnt have said anything. my bad dude
How are we supposed to know that?
Lmao
The Giants have made it to the World Series 3 times this decade and have won all three times….
And since ASB 2016 they’ve been one of the very worst teams in baseball. What’s your point?
fans of other teams just love to bring up what they did years ago like its relevant to the current team
My point was the Mets fan was trying to make a point that the Mets are better because their pitchers never get hurt and they went to the World Series this decade and somehow that makes them the best team ever. I was simply pointing out to him that the Giants did that three times this decade too so his argument is invalid. That’s my point. And no, I’m not a Giants fan.
Mets Fan also failed to mention their “Thor” going down this week from an injury lol.
Dude, stick to Mets articles please! We get it, you’re bitter to the point of needing professional help.
But it’s getting annoying…..
Yo Jeff, time to put this wounded deer out of its misery.
You’re an idiot.
No team would want him even if he pitched well enough rest of the year. Giants better hoe he has a good start to 2020 before they can even think they can dump that bad contract.
Familia and Syndergaard are currently on the IL, so the notion that Mets pitchers don’t get hurt just went out the window.
My apologies for bring logic into this thread, but…
Didn’t Zack Wheeler miss 2+ seasons due to injury?
Didn’t Steven Matz miss half a season in 2017?
Didn’t Syndergaard miss most of 2017?
Never mind.
Johan Santana also says hi, and as he was waving, his arm fell off.
A certain poster with what I can only assume is a *sticky* keyboard is a troll. Make it easier for the MLBTR guys and don’t take an obviously “not serious” post seriously.
Cueto is an interesting post TJ arm. Everyone is different, Will Smith had an uptick in velo post TJ interesting to see if Cueto is similar. Velo first, control/command second is the normal progression. Hope to see him in September as long as his recovery allows.
Side note, this was not a bad contract, it was a market contract and the SFG even got a lil creative by front loading the deal to encourage him into opt-ing out. Unfortunately that walk season he had blister issues + a fast changing FA market and he and Tanaka NYY wisely did not opt-out of deals.. Injury risk is there with all pitchers, deal with it
I’m not sure why it’s tough to imagine Cueto will worth his annual salary in 2020-2021 considering it’s not outlandish. $21M / yr is 3.5 WAR territory for good value and that’s well below his peak. If Cueto generates even 3.0 WAR performances, SF will be happy enough.
Pitchers returning from UCL replacement often return to high levels of performance. I think it would be unrealistic to absolutely count on a return to high levels of performance, but I don’t think it’s irresponsible to believe he may well perform at a high level.
It would be a major lift to the SF Giants to see Cueto return this year. Pitchers are often a little wild their first season back before returning to form in the year following their return. It would be a big plus for 2020’s expectations.
Why are all these comments about the Mets?
If I were the Giants I would not rush Cueto. I would rather he be ready for a good year in 2020 where he can hopefully be sold off for some top 100 prospects.