The Los Angeles Angels placed left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi on the 15-day injured list on Sunday and called up left-hander Tayler Saucedo to take his spot on the active roster.
The move is retroactive to April 30 because Kikuchi suffered inflammation in his left shoulder during his start on April 29 at the Chicago White Sox. Kikuchi hurled two scoreless innings and went to the mound to warm up for the third, but he was removed before facing another batter.
The 34-year-old veteran has fashioned an 0-3 record with a 5.81 ERA in seven starts this season. While Kikuchi has recorded 33 strikeouts in 31 innings, he has allowed 35 hits and 14 walks for a haughty 1.581 WHIP.
The Morioka, Japan, native has a 48-61 record and 4.50 ERA over his seven plus MLB seasons.
Saucedo, 32, returns to the big leagues after working out of the bullpen for Triple-A Salt Lake. He posted a 4.30 ERA in 12 appearances for the Bees but surrendered 12 hits and 11 walks over 14 2/3 innings.
Saucedo owns a 5-2 record and 4.36 ERA over five major league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2021-22) and Seattle Mariners (2023-25). All of his 148 appearances have been in relief.
The veteran will look to boost the Angels’ bullpen, which ranks 29th in the MLB in ERA (5.53).
