The World Series champions are adding a familiar name to their pitching staff.
Per multiple reports, the Texas Rangers have signed two-time All-Star Johnny Cueto to a minor-league deal. Terms of the deal were not initially reported.
Cueto, 38, last pitched for the Miami Marlins in 2023. He remained a free agent this season until his reported deal with the Rangers on Tuesday. The deal reunites him with Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who managed the Giants in four of Cueto’s seasons in San Francisco. MLB Network’s John Morosi reports that Cueto has a strong relationship with Bochy and wanted to play for a contender.
At his best, Cueto was a Cy Young candidate and one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball. He made All-Star teams in 2014 and 2016 with the Cincinnati Reds and Giants.
Cueto was last a regular starter with the Chicago White Sox in 2022, with whom he posted a 3.35 ERA and 1.225 WHIP while striking 102 batters across 158 1/3 innings in 24 starts. He was limited to 52.1 innings with the Marlins last season that produced a 6.02 ERA, 1.261 WHIP and 39 strikouts.
