Cueto to 'pay it forward' as mentor to Cabrera, young Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. -- Signing a veteran like right-hander Johnny Cueto has many layers.

Look no further than the first two days of Marlins Spring Training at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex. On Monday morning, Cueto played catch with fellow Dominicans Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. On Tuesday, Cueto and Cabrera teamed up before throwing a bullpen session. Afterwards, they got some running in.

"He knows I stuck him over there with [Cabrera]," pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. said of Cueto. "And I said, 'Cabby, meet your new partner.' Johnny likes to work, and he's serious about his work, and he knows how to work. He's done that in time and learned that. He can offer a lot of great advice to young guys that are still learning some of those things and trying to overcome some things. He's going to be big for our staff."

For all the shimmying on the mound and theatrics at his Marlins introduction, the 15-year veteran has a wealth of experience. Cueto is a two-time All-Star, captured the 2015 World Series with the Royals and twice finished in the Top 5 of Cy Young Award voting. He has battled back from injuries. Next month, Cueto will compete in his second World Baseball Classic.

Though Cueto didn't name any specific person who helped him early in his career, he always received advice and suggestions on how to do things correctly from his four previous organizations.

"I have a good relationship with all the Hispanic pitchers and the Americans as well," Cueto said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. "I'm a very humble person, so I'm trying to pay it forward. Sending all my talent, all my experience, give that to all the young pitchers, so they can use that 100 percent during the games."

The 24-year-old Cabrera broke out in 2022, posting a 135 ERA+ and a 1.07 WHIP in 14 starts. The former Top 100 prospect missed some time due to right elbow tendinitis, but he flashed his potential when healthy. Miami hopes he can take the next step with help from Cueto.

It starts with showing up to camp ready to go, which both of them did. Cueto, who will turn 37 on Wednesday, knows he has to put in the work to maintain himself since he's not as young as the others. Because of his training, Cueto didn't have to change his offseason routine in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

"That's why I take a lot of pride in this work that I do; that's what keeps me in the game," Cueto said. "I keep doing it all the time. I'm very proud of working really hard all the time. When I stop doing that, that's because I'm going to be at home."

There was anticipation on Tuesday morning when Cueto threw to veteran backstop Jacob Stallings, who caught every pitch of Alcantara's National League Cy Young Award-winning campaign. Among those watching Cueto, Cabrera and left-hander Braxton Garrett pitch were general manager Kim Ng, assistant general managers Brian Chattin and Oz Ocampo, director of Minor League operations Hector Crespo and Terry Collins.

"Great complement to Sandy," Stottlemyre said. "Sandy's not so outspoken, and really Cueto isn't either, but the one thing that Johnny does is he commands respect for what he's done in his career and pitching at every level. Every pitcher in this camp realizes that. He's already made an impact on some of our young guys and having conversations. I've seen him grab a couple of our guys and go, 'Let's go, we're going for a run, and we're not only going for a run to condition our body, but we're going to condition our mind why we run, too.

"He's obviously not going to be afraid. He's got the experience to back up anything that he wants to offer to our young guys, and has the respect from the staff. So a great complement to Sandy to be able to be there for our young guys and anybody that comes up. I'm going to lean on him. He's got a lot of experience. I don't have all the answers, and I'll also use his experience and advice."