Johnny Cueto (47) delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)
CINCINNATI — Johnny Cueto admitted it felt “weird” walking into the visitors’ clubhouse on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
After spending eight seasons in a Reds uniform, Cueto donned Kansas City Royals blue for the opener of a two-game interleague series against his former mates.
“I felt a little timid, a little emotional,” Cueto said, with Royals catching coach Pedro Grifol interpreting. “The fans really supported me here through the years. I have a lot of friends over there. Thank God I’m able to join the Royals at this point in time and have a chance to reach the postseason.”
Kansas City acquired Cueto from the Reds on July 26 in exchange for left-handers John Lamb, Brandon Finnegan and Cody Reed.
The trade was considered a major step in the Royals’ pursuit of a World Series title, and a solid start to Cincinnati’s rebuilding project.
Cueto is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts since joining KC.
He’s not scheduled to pitch against the Reds in this series, although his request to pitch Wednesday on short rest was denied by pitching coach Dave Eiland.
Cincinnati honored Cueto during the first inning of Tuesday night’s 3-1, 13-inning victory with a scoreboard message: “Thank you Johnny”, while Cueto acknowledged from the dugout the standing ovation from the crowd and applause from many Reds players.
Cueto went 92-63 overall with a 3.21 ERA in 213 starts for the Reds, including a 20-win campaign last year when he finished second in the CY Young Award voting.
Reds manager Bryan Price said he was grateful to not face Cueto in this week’s series, but for more emotional reasons.
“It’s better that way, for sure,” said Price, who served as Reds pitching coach through most of Cueto’s development. “I’m glad to see he’s doing well for them. You always want it to be a win-win for both sides. I’m happy he’s performing so well for them and that we’re not facing him — for the emotional reason.”
Manager Ned Yost raved about Cueto’s influence on the Royals’ young pitchers, in particular 24-year-old right-hander Yordano Ventura.
“Yordano doesn’t take his eyes off (Cueto) when he’s pitching,” Yost said. “He’s such a positive influence on them. He helps them learn how to deal with being a major-league starting pitcher at a young age.”
While Cueto adjusts to the American League, he’s also had to tweak his conditioning routine between starts.
While with the Reds, the 29-year-old right-hander would run the field level steps at Great American Ball Park in an impressive display of endurance.
Cueto finds his Kauffman Stadium jog a bit more daunting.
“A lot more stairs,” he said, laughing.
