The Marlins declined Cueto's $10.5 million option for 2024 on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Cueto will get a $2.5 buyout and is now a free agent. The 37-year-old hurler struggled during his lone season in Miami, collecting a 6.02 ERA over 13 appearances (10 starts). Cueto might have to settle for a minor-league contract this offseason if he wants to continue his career.
Cueto is not on the Marlins' roster for their NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Phillies that begins Tuesday.
Cueto logged only 52.1 innings (10 starts, three relief appearances) for Miami during the 2023 regular season while struggling to a 6.02 ERA. The 37-year-old right-hander carries a $10.5 million club option (or $2.5 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: No-decision in twin bill
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Cueto came away with a no-decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in a 4-2 win for the Marlins. He struck out four.
The veteran right-hander exited the game after 73 pitches (47 strikes) with the score tied 2-2, and both runs came on solo shots by Francisco Lindor. Cueto continues to have difficulty keeping the ball in the park -- since the beginning of August, he's served up 13 long balls in only 36.1 innings, leading to a 6.44 ERA -- but this time he avoided serving them up with runners on base. The Marlins head into Thursday tied with the Cubs for the final wild-card spot in the NL, and should a playoff berth still be on the line, Cueto could be available for the final game of the regular season Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Will start nightcap Wednesday
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Cueto will start for the Marlins in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Cueto's last two appearances have come in relief, and he's managed just a 6.64 ERA in nine starts this season. The Marlins' hands are tied, though, between injuries and Tuesday's rainout, so they'll give Cueto another shot. Miami has not yet announced any of their starters for their weekend series in Pittsburgh, but it should be all hands on deck.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Works out of bullpen again
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Cueto made a one-inning appearance in relief in Friday's 16-1 loss to the Brewers, retiring the side on six pitches.
After failing to deliver a quality start while logging a 6.69 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over a stretch of seven outings, Cueto appears to have been moved to the bullpen. He's made both of his two appearances this week as a reliever, with Friday's cameo coming after he gave up two earned runs over two innings while mopping up in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Mets. Edward Cabrera appears poised to stick around as Miami's No. 5 starter while Cueto has been relegated to a relief role.
Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Short outing against Atlanta
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Cueto allowed three earned runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out two across four innings Friday against Atlanta. He did not factor into the decision.
Cueto got through his first two innings unscathed but struggled to conclude the outing, including serving up a solo home run to Michael Harris to lead off the third frame. Since returning from the injured list, Cueto has allowed 11 earned runs across 12.2 frames and three starts. Cueto has also failed to work more than four innings in either of his last two appearances.
Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Early exit in Saturday's loss
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Cueto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins were downed 8-4 by the Phillies, surrendering five runs on five hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out three.
All five runs scored in a disastrous second inning that put Miami in a hole its offense couldn't climb out of, and Cueto got the hook in the fourth after 92 pitches (61 strikes). It's the first time in seven starts the 37-year-old righty has failed to complete five innings, but he hasn't exactly been effective over that stretch, posting a 5.84 ERA through 37 innings thanks to 10 homers allowed despite a solid 1.22 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB. The Marlins remain in the NL wild-card hunt, sitting 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the third and final spot heading into Sunday, but unless Sandy Alcantara (forearm) makes a heroic return, Cueto isn't likely to be dropped from the rotation. He faces a potentially tough matchup in his next outing, as he lines up to take the mound next weekend in a home series against Atlanta.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Nabs first win in return
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Cueto (1-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out four.
Cueto allowed one run through the first four innings before surrendering solo homers in the fifth and sixth. However, by that point, Miami had already backed the veteran right-hander with plenty of run support in his first start since returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list due to an illness, helping him seal his first win of the 2023 campaign. Cueto still has not allowed more than four runs in any start this season, though he's now given up at least three runs in five straight. He's also surrendered two home runs in three consecutive outings and in four of his last five.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Activated ahead of start
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The Marlins activated Cueto (illness) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
A viral infection sent Cueto to the IL on Aug. 21, but he will be able to return to the Marlins' rotation after a minimum-length stay. The 37-year-old righty has put up a 5.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 28.1 innings across his last five starts.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Throwing live BP
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Cueto (illness) threw live batting practice Tuesday in Miami, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.
Cueto faced hitters for the first time since he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 21 because of a viral infection. Assuming he doesn't require a minor-league rehab assignment, Cueto could be a candidate to return from the IL and rejoin the Miami rotation for this weekend's series in Washington. The veteran right-hander has posted a 5.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across just 32.1 major-league innings for Miami in 2023.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Plays catch Wednesday
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Cueto (illness) was spotted playing catch on the field Wednesday prior to the Marlins' game in San Diego, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Cueto was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday after falling ill due to a viral infection, but the fact that he remained on the Marlins' road trip and is now playing catch just two days later offers hope that he'll be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf. The Marlins have off days coming up Thursday and next Monday and should be able to get by with a four-man rotation until Cueto potentially makes his return from the IL over Labor Day weekend.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Sent to injured list
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Cueto was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a viral infection, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
It's unclear exactly what is ailing Cueto, but it will prevent him from making at least a couple of starts.
Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Tagged for five runs in no-decision
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Cueto did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against Houston. He struck out three.
After cruising through his first three frames, Cueto surrendered two runs on a Yainer Diaz homer in the fourth before the Astros added three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Cueto's now allowed three or more runs in each of his last four outings. The veteran right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB across six starts (32.1 innings) this season. Cueto will look to get into the win column in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in San Diego.
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Marlins' Johnny Cueto: Allows three runs over five frames
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Cueto did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over five innings against the Reds while striking out five.
Cueto cruised through the first three innings before surrendering three consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth, two of which left the park to put the Reds up 3-1. The right-hander did manage to get out of the inning, however, and was able to log at least five innings for the fourth straight start. Over that stretch he's recorded a solid 22:5 K:BB, though he's now allowed five home runs over his last three outings. Cueto will look to grab his first win of the season next week when the Marlins take on the Astros at home.
