Why the Kansas City Royals reunited with veteran reliever Jose Cuas in free agency
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals signed veteran reliever Jose Cuas to a minor-league deal for bullpen depth.
- Cuas returns after 2024 MLB stint; posts 0.84 ERA in Dominican Winter League.
- Club values Cuas’ familiarity with Royals staff as they rebuild the 2026 roster.
The Kansas City Royals remained busy on Friday afternoon as they signed veteran reliever Jose Cuas to a minor-league deal.
Cuas, 31, returns to the Royals after spending last season in the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves organizations. He last pitched in the majors in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Royals are familiar with Cuas. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the club in 2022 and was an integral part of the bullpen. He posted a 4.08 ERA in 92 career appearances with the Royals.
Cuas is now hoping to return to the major leagues. He is currently pitching with Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League. He has a 0.84 ERA in 12 appearances with Aguilas Cibaenas, with 15 strikeouts across 10 2/3 innings.
The Royals have looked for bullpen depth this offseason. The club is interested in adding a left-handed relief specialist as well as veteran options.
Cuas is familiar with Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney and bullpen coach Mitch Stetter. His story is also inspirational.
He broke into professional baseball as an infielder before making the switch to pitching. He didn’t pitch during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, however, instead worked at a FedEx in Brooklyn, New York.
The Royals gave him a chance back then. And now he’ll look to reignite his big-league journey with KC this coming spring in Surprise, Arizona.
It has been a busy 24 hours for the Royals. They reportedly signed outfielder Lane Thomas to a one-year free-agent contract and extended the contract of third baseman Maikel Garcia.
