Miami Marlins starting pitcher Johnny Cueto threw his first live batting practice since going on the injured list, according to a report from MLB.com's Paige Leckie on Tuesday.
Cueto has been out since Aug. 21 due to a viral infection. The last time he took the mound for the Marlins was on Aug. 15.
This is not the first time Cueto has been banged up this year, either, as he suffered a bicep injury after his season debut start in April. That, plus an ankle sprain, kept Cueto out until July, when he made a relief appearance before rejoining Miami's rotation.
In his six starts since returning from injury, Cueto is 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The veteran has a 1.058 WHIP in that span, though.
Cueto signed a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Marlins this past offseason. Miami has a team option on his contract for 2024.
The 37-year-old right-hander is in the midst of his 16th MLB season, as his career started with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2008. After eight seasons with the Reds, Cueto was traded to the Kansas City Royals, then spent the following six campaigns with the San Francisco Giants.
Cueto was named an All-Star in 2014 and 2016 – once with the Reds and once with the Giants – but spent 2022 with the Chicago White Sox before joining the Marlins this year.
Through his age 31 season, Cueto was one of the more reliable starters in baseball. However, he is averaging just 73 innings a year since 2018.
Cueto is eligible to come off the injured list on Thursday.
The Marlins have yet to announce any starters for their upcoming series with the Washington Nationals, leaving Thursday, Friday and Saturday as possibilities for Cueto's return.
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