Kiel Maddox-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Cueto is healthy, Bruce Bochy said. The Giants are encouraged.
But if there were a chance Cueto could blow the team away and fast-track his return, there likely is not one now.
Cueto told reporters in Sacramento that he feels he needs another start in the minors before he’s ready for the majors following his outing Monday, in which he gave up four runs (three earned) in 4 1/3 innings at Triple-A. Cueto, building up his arm from Tommy John surgery, allowed six hits and walked none, while striking out three and surrendering two home runs.
Earlier Monday, Bochy did not completely rule out Cueto jumping right to the big leagues following the 65-pitch outing. He did not sound as optimistic about the possibility after Cueto’s performance and comments.
“He did well, that’s good news,” Bochy said after the major league Giants lost, 6-4, to the Diamondbacks at Oracle Park. “We’ll see how he feels [Tuesday], but right now he said he feels really good. Gave up some runs, but most important thing is he was healthy throughout the outing. He’ll be ready to go five days from now.”
Asked to clarify, he said five days from now in Sacramento. Bochy said Cueto, while close, is “still in spring training mode.”
Johnny Cueto is through one inning at Raley Field. Six whiffs on 15 pitches including this one to strike out Domingo Leyba. pic.twitter.com/0D0UGywHQE
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) August 27, 2019
Two days after the Giants announced he would need Tommy John surgery — and that Bochy hoped he could take one final at-bat of at least the season — Pablo Sandoval did not sound ready for that moment.
“I didn’t even think about [picking up a bat] yet,” Sandoval told KNBR before Monday’s game.
His right elbow is bothering him a good deal, and while a final at-bat for a to-be free agent is a nice vision, executing it would be more difficult.
“It depends on how I’m feeling. One day good, one day worse,” Sandoval said.
How’s today?
“Sore.”