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Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi’s injury timeline gets new update before White Sox game
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- Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi’s injury timeline gets new update before White Sox game
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Los Angeles Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi was pulled from his most recent start with a shoulder injury. Now, the left-hander is facing a potentially lengthy absence.
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Kikuchi is officially dealing with shoulder inflammation . The Angels will be shutting the veteran down before determining their next plan of action, via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.
" Yusei Kikuchi , diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, will be shut down for three to four weeks with the hope that he can build back up as a starting pitcher thereafter, Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said," Gonzalez wrote. "They hope to know more about his prognosis after he starts throwing again."
Once those three-to-four weeks are up, the Angels will re-assess where Kikuchi stands. They'll hope his inflammation has calmed down and he'd be able to start a throwing program. But until those future tests come back, Kikuchi's status is murky at best.
Over his seven starts in 2026, the left-hander has posted a 5.81 ERA and a 33/14 K/BB ratio. Perhaps his shoulder injury played a role into those struggles. Los Angeles at least had high expectations after Kikuchi was named to his second All-Star Game in his first year with the team. That season, Kikuchi recorded a 3.99 ERA and a 174/74 K/BB ratio.
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The Angels will remain optimistic that Kikuchi can return before the end of 2026 season. But his shoulder will need to respond appropriately once his shut down period ends. Los Angeles has been perpetually looking for pitching as they try to get back into contention. For at least the next three weeks, Kikuchi can't help the franchise in that regard.
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