MLB Rumors: Kansas City Royals Pitcher Johnny Cueto’s Elbow Health Jeopardizing Big Deal?

Johnny Cueto might not get the massive contract that he is looking for. According to the latest rumors, many teams are questioning the health of the Kansas City Royals starting pitcher's elbow since he was traded to the Royals in July.

With the Royals, the 29-year-old right-hander is 2-6 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 10 games. With the Cincinnati Reds, Cueto was 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 120 strikeouts over 63 1/3 innings.

"After initial excellence, the righty put together a five-start span (0-5, 9.57 ERA, 1.086 OPS against) that jeopardized his status as the unquestioned Game 1 starter, imperiled how much he could make in free agency and created a cottage industry of 'what the heck is wrong with Johnny Cueto?'" Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote. "Cueto has baseball people wondering again about the health of his elbow, among other issues."

Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com also noticed the stark difference in Cueto's pitching after the July trade. He wrote, "A July 26th trade from the Reds to the Royals seemed beneficial to Cueto, who became ineligible for a qualifying offer. Cueto began his Royals stint with a 1.80 ERA over 30 innings, but since then, the wheels have come off. His ERA has risen a full run in that time, from 2.46 to 3.47. Perhaps something is wrong physically; you may recall Cueto went 13 days between starts this summer due to a sore elbow."

If the elbow is not the issue, Cueto's poor performance could be due to his confidence, the pressures of pitching with more at stake and his ability to pitch in the American League.

Cueto's next scheduled start is Sept. 24 against the Seattle Mariners.

Cueto will become a free agent at the end of the season.