The Los Angeles Angels designated veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto for assignment and put reliever Carson Fulmer on the 15-day injured list on Friday, clearing roster spots for pitching prospects Caden Dana and Samuel Aldegheri.
Cueto, 38, signed a minor league contract with the Angels in July after opting out of a deal with the Rangers. He returned to the majors Aug. 21 and posted a quality start — three runs in 6 1/3 innings — vs. the Royals, one of his former teams. He then allowed six runs on six hits, including three home runs, in five-plus innings Tuesday against the Tigers.
Cueto has a career 144-113 record with a 3.52 ERA in parts of 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2008-15), Royals (2015), San Francisco Giants (2016-21), Chicago White Sox (2022), Miami Marlins (2023) and Angels.
Fulmer’s trip to the IL, retroactive to Tuesday, is for elbow inflammation, and MLB.com reported that the 30-year-old is headed for an MRI. He is 0-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 32 appearances (eight starts) for Los Angeles, with a 1.31 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.
Dana, 20, is listed as the top prospect in the Angels’ organization, according to MLB Pipeline. The right-handed pitcher was selected by the team in the 11th round of the 2022 draft out of a New Jersey prep school. He has a 9-7 record and 2.52 ERA in 23 starts at Double-A Rocket City.
Aldegheri, 22, was scheduled to make his major league debut Friday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, becoming the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to play in the majors.
Aldegheri, the Angels’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a 6-9 record and 3.59 ERA in 19 games (all starts) across two levels this season. His last four starts came at Double-A Rocket City after he was acquired in a July 27 trade that sent reliever Carlos Estevez to the Phillies.
–Field Level Media
Last season, the Seattle Mariners struck out a major league-worst 1,625 times, an average of 10 per game. Perhaps if they had put the ball in play a few more…
One day after watching fellow rookie Christian Koss celebrate the accomplishment of a lifetime, Arizona youngster Jordan Lawlar would love to follow suit when the Diamondbacks conclude a three-game road…
The Milwaukee Brewers are struggling to find their confidence on offense. Shut out in the first two games of their road series against the Cleveland Guardians, the Brewers will aim…
Jordan Lawlar, Diamondbacks eye series win over Giants
Struggling Brewers look to end scoreless streak at Cleveland
Cards look to extend 9-game win streak in DH at Philadelphia
MLB roundup: Jacob Wilson homers twice as A’s pound Dodgers