After rough rehab start, Kikuchi may require additional outing before return

ANAHEIM -- Lefty Yusei Kikuchi’s rehab start on Saturday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga was supposed to be his final one, but he struggled again. Now the Angels will have to determine whether he needs another rehab outing before rejoining the rotation.

Kikuchi allowed seven runs in the first inning and gave up eight runs on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. He settled down after that opening frame and reached 80 pitches, so he’s fully stretched out if the Angels decide he’s ready to return.

He previously made two starts with Triple-A Salt Lake and one with Rancho Cucamonga but also scuffled in those outings. He gave up six runs (four earned) in three innings in his first rehab start at Single-A on July 30 before surrendering 10 runs in five innings over his two starts with Salt Lake. He previously said he had issues pitching at Single-A because there are no PitchComm devices and he was tipping his pitches.

Kikuchi, 35, has been out since April 29 with left shoulder inflammation. He made seven starts before landing on the injured list, posting a 5.81 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 14 walks in 31 innings.

He was an All-Star last year, when he posted a 3.99 ERA in a career-high 33 starts with 174 strikeouts in 178 1/3 innings. He remains under contract through 2027 after signing a three-year, $63 million deal before last season. It’s a major reason why the Angels want to make sure he finishes this season healthy and strong after his shoulder injury.