Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Bounces back in no-decision
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Kikuchi allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Tuesday.
Kikuchi had failed to complete five frames in his previous two outings, but he got back over that threshold this time. He was in line for the win when he exited, but the Angels' bullpen was unable to protect the lead. Through 62.2 innings over 13 starts, Kikuchi has a 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 60:29 K:BB. He is tentatively lined up for one more start on the road in Seattle over the weekend.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Struggles against Mariners
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Kikuchi (1-6) allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners.
The five walks were a season high for Kikuchi, who has issued 12 free passes over his last 14.1 innings. He has at least kept the ball in the yard in that span, but the Mariners were able to pick him apart with singles and walks in Wednesday's game. For the season, Kikuchi is at a 5.02 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 58:28 K:BB through 57.1 innings over 12 starts. The southpaw is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Athletics.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Inefficient in no-decision Friday
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Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out five.
The lefty needed 88 pitches (54 strikes) to record 12 outs as Kikuchi failed to last at least five innings for the first time in four starts since returning from shoulder inflammation. After a bumpy outing against the Rangers on Aug. 23, Kikuchi's been stingier, posting a 1.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over his last 17 innings and three trips to the mound. He'll look to tighten things up in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Mariners.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Goes six scoreless in first win
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Kikuchi (1-5) earned the win against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out six over six scoreless innings.
Kikuchi earned his first win since Sept. 24, 2025, throwing 58 of 89 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs. The veteran southpaw has now logged two straight quality starts and owns a 3.50 ERA with a 16:5 K:BB over three outings since returning from the injured list Aug. 23. He'll carry a 4.96 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49:19 K:BB across 49 innings this season into a road matchup with the Nationals next weekend.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Struggles in return
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Kikuchi (0-4) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings.
Making his first start since April 29 after a lengthy absence due to shoulder inflammation, Kikuchi picked up where his early-season struggles left off. The left-hander surrendered home runs to Ezequiel Duran and Elias Diaz and allowed five earned runs for the third time in eight major-league starts this season. Kikuchi posted a 5.81 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across seven outings before landing on the injured list and was hit hard during his rehab assignment, allowing 22 earned runs over 12.2 innings. He'll look for better results in his next scheduled start Sunday against the Phillies.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Activated for Sunday's start
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The Angels reinstated Kikuchi (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rangers.
The left-hander has been sidelined since late April due to shoulder inflammation, and he's been deemed ready to rejoin the Halos' rotation after four minor-league rehab starts. Kikuchi scuffled to a 5.81 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in seven outings prior to the injury, and he certainly didn't look his best during the rehab stint with 22 earned runs allows over 12.2 frames.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Starting Sunday vs. Texas
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Kikuchi (shoulder) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rangers in Arlington, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Despite submitting a horrid 15.63 ERA and 2.37 WHIP in 12.2 innings across four minor-league outings, Kikuchi checked out fine physically and built up his pitch count enough for the Angels to feel comfortable inserting him back into the rotation after a nearly four-month stay on the shelf. In his seven starts with the Angels prior to hitting the IL due to left shoulder inflammation, Kikuchi posted an 0-3 record with a 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Could rejoin rotation this week
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Kikuchi (shoulder) said Sunday that he expects to join the Angels on their upcoming six-game road trip and believes he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list during that time, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The veteran southpaw hasn't been informed that he's on track to be activated, but he'll meet with the Angels' brass Sunday to determine whether he'll be sent for another rehab start or not. Kikuchi certainly hasn't looked like a pitcher ready to return to the big leagues, as he was roughed up for eight earned runs over 4.2 innings in his latest outing Saturday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and has posted a 15.63 ERA, 2.37 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 12.2 innings in four starts between Single-A and Triple-A Salt Lake. If the Angels are comfortable adding Kikuchi back to the rotation during their road trip, he would likely start either Friday or Saturday in Arlington versus the Rangers.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Roughed up in second rehab start
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Kikuchi (shoulder) yielded six earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four batters across 1.2 innings Tuesday in a rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake.
Kikuchi has struggled mightily through his first two rehab starts since kicking off his assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last Thursday. Between those appearances, the veteran southpaw has posted a 9:5 K:BB while giving up 12 runs (10 earned) on nine hits -- including three home runs -- across 4.2 innings. Given that Kikuchi been on the shelf since May 3 due to left shoulder inflammation, it's not overly surprising that he's looked rusty in his return to game action. He'll need to iron out his command and control while continuing to build up his pitch count in future minor-league outings before rejoining the Angels rotation.
Kikuchi (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab appearance with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Kikuchi has been out of action since April 29 due to left shoulder inflammation. The veteran southpaw began tossing bullpens in early July and is now ready to return to game action. According to Bollinger, Kikuchi believes he'll need three rehab starts before returning to the Angels' rotation. That means he's unlikely to be activated until at least mid-August.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Nearing rehab assignment
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Kikuchi (shoulder) is expected to throw another live session this weekend, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Kikuchi threw 34 pitches to Wade Meckler and Denzer Guzman on Tuesday, and he said that he felt great afterward. The southpaw has been out since late April while recovering from left shoulder inflammation, and he is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment after he completes his next live batting practice session.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Tosses first bullpen
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Kikuchi (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Kikuchi has been sidelined since late April due to left shoulder inflammation, which led to him being transferred to the 60-day injured list May 22. He was cleared to resume throwing in late June and has taken the next step in his recovery by tossing his first bullpen session since the injury. Barring any setbacks, Kikuchi will likely return to the Angels' rotation following the All-Star break, though a clearer timeline will be established once he's given the green light to embark on a rehab assignment.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Resumes throwing
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Kikuchi (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, per MLB.com.
Kikuchi has so far been limited to playing catch, but that's tangible progress as he looks to work his way back from left shoulder inflammation. If the veteran hurler moves forward without any setbacks, he could rejoin the Angels' rotation after the All-Star break. Kikuchi posted a rough 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings spanning seven starts before landing on the injured list in early May.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Could soon resume throwing
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Kikuchi (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a throwing program in mid-June, per MLB.com.
Kikuchi is dealing with left shoulder inflammation and hasn't thrown since making an early exit from his last start April 29. Given the length of his absence, the southpaw will likely need several weeks to ramp up once he begins a throwing program. The expectation is that Kikuchi will be sidelined through the All-Star break, though he could return shortly thereafter.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Angels transferred Kikuchi (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Kikuchi is expected to miss multiple months after initially landing on the injured list May 3 with shoulder inflammation, so moving to the 60-day IL doesn't affect his return timeline. It does, however, free up a spot on the 40-man roster, helping to make room for Donovan Walton and Wade Meckler.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Expects to resume throwing soon
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Kikuchi (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's slated to begin a throwing program soon and expressed hope that he'll be able to return to the Angels early in the second half of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Kikuchi has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the 15-day IL due to left shoulder inflammation May 3. The veteran lefty explained through an interpreter Wednesday that surgery was never on the table and that "the damage wasn't major." Kikuchi also stated that he's been doing shoulder strengthening exercises and is preparing to be cleared to play catch. He's almost certain to need a lengthy buildup and a substantial minor-league rehab assignment, though he expressed confidence that he'll be able to be back in the Angels' rotation before the end of July.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Could be out several months
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Kikuchi (shoulder) could be sidelined for "several months, if not the whole season," Mike DiGiovanna of the "Halo Territory" podcast reports.
Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left shoulder inflammation, but his MRI is still being evaluated, and DiGiovanna is hearing the southpaw may be tending to a long-term injury. The Angels should offer more clarity on Kikuchi's timetable later this week. Sam Aldegheri was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake and will start Tuesday against the White Sox in Kikuchi's place.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Exits start with shoulder injury
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Kikuchi was lifted from his start Wednesday against the White Sox prior to the bottom of the third inning due to left shoulder tightness. He struck out a batter and allowed two hits and one walk over two scoreless frames before departing.
After noticing a minor velocity dip in the second inning, Kikuchi came back out for the third but didn't throw a pitch. He appeared to experience some discomfort while warming up, and then checked out of the game after a brief visit with a trainer. Mitch Farris entered the game in place of Kikuchi and will likely be tasked with covering multiple frames out of the bullpen. The Angels will likely send Kikuchi in for further testing to glean more information regarding the extent of the injury.
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Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: ERA swells to 6.21 in loss Friday
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Kikuchi (0-3) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts across five innings.
It's been a struggle for Kikuchi early on this season, as he's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his last five starts and has gone six innings just once in six tries to begin the campaign. The left-hander is still winless but has at least been able to generate strikeouts with a 32:13 K:BB across 29 innings. He's also allowed just three home runs after serving up 24 last season. Kikuchi's 3.72 FIP suggests he's pitched better than his 6.21 ERA would suggest.
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Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Taking seat Sunday
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Cronenworth is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
Cronenworth was able to play the entirety of Saturday's 4-1 win after taking a Yusei Kikuchi fastball to the chin in the fifth inning, and though he reported no issues following the game, the Padres will elect to hold him out of the starting nine for the series finale in Anaheim. Fernando Tatis will receive his third start of the season at second base while Cronenworth rests up Sunday.
