Jose Cuas went from delivering FedEx packages to delivering pitches for the Royals.
On Tuesday, the infielder-turned-reliever made his MLB debut during Kansas City’s 8-3 loss to the Guardians. It was the biggest step in a journey that saw the 27-year-old nearly quit baseball after twice being released.
Originally selected by the Brewers in the 11th round of the 2015 MLB Draft as an infielder, Milwaukee converted the righthander to a pitcher before releasing him a year later.
Cuas later signed with the Diamondbacks but was released in March of 2020, prompting thoughts of ending his playing career.
Instead, he trained at night while working as a FedEx driver in Brooklyn to support his family — and was eventually signed by the Royals out of the Dominican Winter League.
On May 30, Kansas City selected Cuas from Omaha of the International League, and he pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout in his MLB debut.
“It’s a dream come true, being a kid from New York, everything I’ve been through in my playing career, to be here in a Major League stadium,” Cuas told reporters.
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