Los Angeles Angels southpaw Yusei Kikuchi is nearing the end of his three-month long stint on the injured list. He completed what was supposed to be his final rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, but his poor performance could make the Angels schedule him for another rehab start before he returns to MLB.
Kikuchi gave up seven runs in just the first inning. He went on to allow eight total runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight batters. Although his recent stats are not ideal for a two-time All-Star, Kikuchi said he is ready to come back.
“I’m ready to come back to the Show,” Kikuchi said through a translator. “My luggage is already packed, so I’m ready to go.”
Kikuchi relied a lot on his fastball on Saturday, which he cited as the reason he gave up eight runs.
“It’s a rehab game, so I wanted to throw my heaters. They were sitting on my heaters, so I think the results came from that reason. I wanted to get up to the fifth inning and I was able to achieve that, so I’m satisfied for that point,” Kikuchi said through a translator.
Suzuki Says Kikuchi Will Perform Better in MLB
Kikuchi is an eight-season MLB veteran and in his third season with the Angels. Halos manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters Kikuchi’s MLB experience will help him perform better once he is back in the Big Leagues.
For Suzuki, the most important thing was that Kikuchi felt physically strong in his rehab starts.
“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,” Suzuki said. “I think when you put him in in a Major League game, when the lights are on there, it’s a different story… The main thing is he’s feeling good, he’s feeling strong and all those things that you want him to feel whenever you have a start.”