In a tough break for the Angels' rotation, left-hander Yusei Kikuchi has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation. The move was made official Sunday, with the team purchasing the contract of lefty reliever Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the roster spot.
Kikuchi, 34, exited his start against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday after throwing just one warmup pitch before the third inning, initially diagnosed with shoulder tightness. An MRI on his left shoulder Friday revealed the inflammation, though general manager Perry Minasian indicated the team is still awaiting further results. "He's got some shoulder stuff, some soreness, so we're just waiting to see how it progresses," Minasian said before Sunday's series finale against the New York Mets. "He's getting looked at, he will get looked at again and we will go from there."
The veteran lefty was in the midst of adjusting his arm slot this season, a move aimed at recapturing his All-Star form from last year—his first with the Angels. Through seven starts in 2026, Kikuchi struggled to a 0-3 record and a 5.81 ERA, a stark contrast to his 2025 campaign where he went 7-11 with a 3.99 ERA over 33 starts. That performance earned him his second All-Star nod and solidified his role in the Angels' rotation.
Over eight big-league seasons with the Seattle Mariners (2019-21), Toronto Blue Jays (2022-24), Houston Astros (2024), and now the Angels, the Japan native owns a 48-61 record with a 4.50 ERA across 206 appearances (194 starts). His absence leaves a notable gap in the Angels' pitching staff as they navigate a competitive stretch.
Stepping in is Tayler Saucedo, 32, who is set to make his Angels debut. The lefty reliever brings solid experience from five seasons with the Blue Jays (2021-22) and Mariners (2023-25), where he compiled a 5-2 record and a 4.36 ERA over 148 relief appearances. With Triple-A Salt Lake this season, he posted a 0-1 mark and a 4.30 ERA in 12 outings. The Angels will be counting on his veteran presence to help stabilize the bullpen while Kikuchi recovers.