Cishek continues his baseball journey with Angels

Former Florida Marlins pitcher and Falmouth native Steve Cishek has signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. USA TODAY File

After 10 years in the majors with six different teams, 34-year-old Falmouth native Steve Cishek has a fresh new start in his 11th season, this time with the Los Angeles Angels. Cishek signed a one-year deal worth $1 million with the Angels on March 29. He chose the Angels over other teams because they offered him a major league contract, which guaranteed him a roster spot.

“They were interested in me before spring training too but I told them I wasn’t interested at that time because I didn’t want to bring my family out to Arizona for spring because we just had a newborn and had a lot of things going on,” Cishek said. 

Angels interim pitching coach Matt Wise sees Cishek as a leader on the team because of his verteran experience. 

“Steve being a leader on this team is huge,” Wise said. “Some of the guys on the team like Chris Rodriguez, Mike Mayers and Aaron Slegers don’t have 9 or 10 years in the big league. He can be a guy that the players with a little less experience can go to and ask questions that play a big role in a young player’s development.” 

Going into Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers, Cishek had pitched in seven games. He pitched in just over five innings and allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 0 home runs, 3 walks and has 5 strikeouts over 106 pitches for an ERA of 3.18.   

“He has had a couple of good outings on the field,” Wise said. “I still have full confidence in Cishek and his ability to get outs in meaningful innings. He has been there before and has done it a long time and we are going to continue to rely on him.”

Prior to the Angels, Cishek played under the current Angels Manager Joe Maddon when he was the manager of the Cubs during the 2018-2019 season. Cishek says that they had a good relationship. 

“He brought a lot of his coaching staff onboard too so that made it a little easier for me to make the transition over here,” Cishek said, “It also gives me a lot more motivation to go out and perform.” 

Maddon says that he has always been a fan of Cishek and says he looks as good as he did during his time with the Cubs. 

“Steve is throwing the ball pretty well,” Maddon said. “I like Shek a lot and he’s very durable and a great teammate. The eyeball test from the side looks good and his breaking ball looks good. I think that he is actually elevating a little bit more now than he has in the past. We just try to spot him up at the right times so he can have a great season.” 

Prior to his Angels signing, Cishek had a minor league contract with the Houston Astros that did not work out. He decided to opt out of his contract on March 25 and asked to be released. 

“During spring training, one of the starting pitchers got hurt and was out for the season, so they had to sign another guy and it put them really close to a luxury tax number that they didn’t want to go over,” Cishek said. “It’s a business and the reality of the game so it’s all good.”

Cishek says that his goal this season is to have a bounce-back year after a tough season last year with the Chicago White Sox.

“I’m just trying to have a strong year,” Cishek said. “I’m going to push myself and see if I still got it. Right now the Angels are giving me every opportunity early in the season.”