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Los Angeles Angels Place Yusei Kikuchi on 15-Day Injured List
The Los Angeles Angels placed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 30 and follows his start on April 29 against the Chicago White Sox. The team called up left-hander Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the roster spot.
Japan TimesAudio version
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The Los Angeles Angels placed left-handed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list on May 4, 2026, according to a Japan Times report. The placement is retroactive to April 30, following inflammation in his left shoulder sustained during a start against the Chicago White Sox on April 29.
Kikuchi, a 34-year-old from Morioka, Japan, pitched two scoreless innings before being removed prior to the third inning. In seven starts this season, Kikuchi has an 0-3 record with a 5.81 ERA. He has recorded 33 strikeouts over 31 innings, while allowing 35 hits and 14 walks, resulting in a 1.581 WHIP.
To replace Kikuchi on the active roster, the Angels called up left-hander Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake. Saucedo, 32, posted a 4.30 ERA in 12 appearances for Salt Lake, allowing 12 hits and 11 walks over 14⅔ innings. In his major league career spanning five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2021 to 2022 and the Seattle Mariners from 2023 to 2025, Saucedo has a 5-2 record and a 4.36 ERA across 148 relief appearances.
The team has not announced a specific timeline for Kikuchi's return or further details on his recovery. This adjustment comes amid the Angels' ongoing season efforts to manage pitching resources.
