The Los Angeles Angels placed left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 30 due to left shoulder inflammation. Kikuchi suffered the injury during his start on April 29 at the Chicago White Sox, pitching two scoreless innings before being removed from the game [1].
This season, Kikuchi holds an 0-3 record with a 5.81 ERA across seven starts. He has struck out 33 batters in 31 innings while allowing 35 hits and 14 walks. His WHIP stands at 1.581 [1]. Over his MLB career spanning more than seven seasons, Kikuchi has a 48-61 record with a 4.50 ERA [1].
To fill Kikuchi's roster spot, the Angels called up left-handed reliever Tayler Saucedo from Triple-A Salt Lake. Saucedo, 32, posted a 4.30 ERA in 12 appearances for Salt Lake this season, allowing 12 hits and 11 walks in 14⅔ innings [1].
In his MLB career, Saucedo has a 5-2 record and 4.36 ERA over five seasons. All 148 of his major league appearances have come in relief while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners [1].
The Angels' bullpen currently ranks 29th in MLB with a 5.53 ERA entering Saucedo's promotion [1].
Kikuchi's injured list placement and Saucedo's call-up were officially announced on Sunday, May 3 [1]. The 15-day injury list term means Kikuchi will miss at least the upcoming two weeks.