PHOENIX — Nine and a half months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto threw a 40-pitch bullpen in front of Giants manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Curt Young at Chase Field.
Cueto surprised the Giants with his progress and left Bochy optimistic the franchise’s highest-paid pitcher could return to a major league mound by the end of the season.
“God willing, yes I want to pitch in September,” Cueto said through Spanish-language translator Erwin Higueros. “Right now I feel really good.”
Saturday’s bullpen marked the fifth Cueto has thrown during his rehabilitation process and the right-hander has yet to report any setbacks.