The latest on the Royals efforts to land Johnny Cueto

The Royals almost acquired pitcher Johnny Cueto before his scheduled start last night, reports Ken Rosenthal. Cueto ended up pitching eight shutout innings against the Colorado Rockies to run his record to 7-6 with a 2.62. ERA. Rosenthal reports that the medical reports of one of the prospects the Royals would send to Cincinnati was enough to halt the deal, at least temporarily.

This morning Buster Olney of ESPN reported that Royals pitcher Sean Manaea was the pitcher whose medicals were the hang up in the deal. Manaea missed most of the first half of the season with an abdominal strain and groin injury, and has had minor injuries to his shoulder and hip in the past, but has made six starts for A Wilmington and AA Northwest Arkansas. Manaea was the third-ranked Royals prospect by Baseball America before the season. Writer David Gershman also reports that Bubba Starling and possibly Christian Binford were part of the deal. Jim Bowden of ESPN writes the deal is not dead and the two sides continue to work it out.

Johnny Cueto is owed roughly $4 million the remainder of the season and is a free agent this winter. If acquired by the Royals, they will receive no draft compensation for him should he leave as a free agent.