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SAN FRANCISCO – The final throw, the 69th return match of Johnny Cueto, reminded the giants of everything they had missed in the last 13 months.
There was brief hesitation at the top of his pitch and an exaggerated detour from the batter, a flair that most pitchers miss today. Then came the pitch, a change of speed of 81 mph that was right in the middle of the plate but had far too much movement to do anything except for Kevin Kramer's bat. Finally, there was the swirling hand pump and that familiar smile, a reminder that no one amused himself as much on the mound as Johnny Cueto.
The first night back from Tommy John, the operation was a success in every way. Cueto gave a single hit in five shutouts, eliminating four and showing his former velocity and repertoire. The former teammate of the staff also returned in the column of victories. The giants beat the pirates, 5-4.
"It was Johnny as we know it," said director Bruce Bochy. "For him, to make his first outing, it's really impressive."
Nothing in Cueto's debut, except emotion, indicated that it was a special occasion. The fast pace was there. Same with the order. Cueto reached 93.4 mph and averaged 91.3, exactly the same speed as 2017, his last season in good health.
The following year, elbow pain became excessive and Cueto underwent reconstruction surgery last August. The rehabilitation process did not go unnoticed, and Giants officials were quietly optimistic throughout the season about Cueto's return. With a team filled with young polling points, led by ace – Madison Bumgarner – who will be an independent player, the Giants desperately need Cueto to become one of the best right-handers in the NHL. Tuesday night was extremely encouraging.
"He was so happy today – before the game, during, after," said receiver Stephen Vogt. "You can just say that he was having fun, it's nice to be on that side, you see the joy with which he finds himself. He's an artist, he really is. "
Bochy had planned to check Cueto before announcing a next step, but the right-hander will start Sunday at home or Tuesday in Boston. It will be relatively normal from now, even if Cueto will still have a number of shots. He was scheduled for 70 years on Tuesday and was a step away when he kicked his final shot.
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Bochy said that would have been the case if Cueto walked towards Kramer. Cueto smiled later and said that he was not so sure.
"I knew I wanted to kick him out," he told the interpreter Erwin Higueros. "If I walked him and Bochy came out, I would tell him to give me one last hitter."
It did not come to that. That night, there would be no bumps on the road.
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