Johnny Cueto has a hard head, apparently.
Cueto was absolutely drilled in the dome Monday night by a line drive off the bat of Oakland Athletics center fielder Billy Burns. Amazingly, the San Francisco Giants hurler shook off the big blow like a man and stayed in the game to pitch three innings.
Overall, it wasn’t Cueto’s best work, as he surrendered three runs — all on a Josh Reddick home run — as the Giants fell to the A’s 10-3 in Cactus League action. The right-hander’s desire to remain on the mound could win over some teammates, though, which is important on the heels of Cueto signing a six-year contract worth $130 million.
“He was fine out there,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters in Mesa, Ariz. “He answered all the questions. He wanted to stay out there. … Guess it shows how tough he is, in a spring training game.”
Bochy said Cueto was treated for a contusion and would be monitored for any concussion symptoms, though it appears the pitcher avoided serious injury.
