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 over 4 2/3 innings. 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 said before Sunday’s 3-0 loss to the Royals that he believes he’s ready to be activated and met with the coaching staff, but they haven’t made a final determination. The Angels head to Houston for a three-game series beginning Tuesday, followed by a three-game set in Texas.
“I'm ready to come back to The Show,” Kikuchi said through interpreter Koki Goto. “My luggage is already packed, so I'm ready to go.”
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said that the staff hasn’t decided where Kikuchi’s next start will come just yet. But right-hander Ryan Johnson, who gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings on Sunday, will remain in the rotation.
“We've talked to him,” Suzuki said. “He feels good obviously, we're still discussing when he will pitch, but RJ will get another turn.”
Johnson could’ve been a candidate to be replaced by Kikuchi, but has been pitching better recently. He was hurt by giving up two solo homers on Sunday and has a 6.41 ERA in 60 1/3 innings, but has a 2.51 ERA in 14 1/3 innings in three August outings.
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez has also struggled with a 7.17 ERA in 13 starts and gave up three runs over four innings on Friday, but is listed as the club’s probable pitcher for Thursday in Houston. The Angels could also move to a six-man rotation to fit Kikuchi into the picture without taking anyone out of the rotation.
Kikuchi 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 PitchCom devices and he was tipping his pitches. This time, he said he felt the hitters were just sitting on his fastball.
“It's a rehab game, so I wanted to throw my heaters,” Kikuchi said. “They're sitting on my heaters, so I think the results weren't what I wanted, but I was able to throw 75 pitches, and I was able to achieve that. I felt satisfied from that point.”
Suzuki said he’s pleased that Kikuchi has been feeling good in his rehab outings, but did note there is a bit of concern based on his results. He has a 15.63 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings across his four rehab starts.
"I think a little bit of both, right?” Suzuki said. “I think a guy with his experience and how long he's been in the big leagues, I think you just want him to feel good. When you put him in a Major League game when the lights are on, it's a different story. But I think the main thing is he's feeling good, he's been strong, and all those things that you want him to feel in a rehab start."
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.