DENVER – Now that the "storm'' has passed, Johnny Cueto can focus on dealing with the heat of a playoff chase.
The Cincinnati Reds right-hander, the subject of numerous trade rumors as the July 31 deadline approached, was sent to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday for a package of three left-handed pitchers currently in the minors, headlined by Brandon Finnegan.
The deal ended a turbulent stretch of uncertainty for Cueto, who endured two rough starts before returning to form with eight shutout innings in a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.
"Now I can just play baseball without any worries,'' Cueto said moments after the trade was finalized.