White Sox call Cueto up from AAA for start vs. Royals originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox' starting rotation has reinforcements on the way.
Monday afternoon, the team announced it is calling Johnny Cueto up from AAA to start the night's road matchup with the Kansas City Royals. Infielder Danny Mendick was optioned to Charlotte in a corresponding move.
Cueto, a two-time All-Star, is well past his prime, but the White Sox have believed he can be a resource in their rotation since signing him to a minor league contract in early April.
His services are now called upon as the team braces for a five-game-in-four-day stretch in Kansas City, including a double-header on Tuesday, without Lucas Giolito (COVID-19-related injured list) and Lance Lynn (knee surgery).
"I think Cueto's a candidate just because we've got the five games — and not irrespective of Lucas (Giolito)," manager Tony La Russa said Friday. "We're definitely looking at him."
Cueto has thrown 15.2 innings across four starts with Charlotte this season to the tune of a 5.17 ERA. He amassed a 7-7 record and 4.08 ERA in 21 starts for the San Francisco Giants last season.
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Funny enough, he will make his White Sox debut against the team with which he won a World Series in 2015.
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