HOUSTON \u2014 Yusei Kikuchi is about to rejoin the Angels\u2019 starting rotation for the first time in more than three months.<\/p>\n
When he pitches and who, if anyone, he replaces are yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
Even though Kikuchi had a 15.63 ERA in four rehab games, two at Triple-A and two at Class-A, Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said the team has seen enough to feel like he\u2019s ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe results weren\u2019t probably what (Kikuchi) wanted, but I think the velocity was there and all the other metrics looked OK,\u201d Suzuki said. \u201cWe know he\u2019s probably just going to get better and better. That\u2019s what we\u2019re assuming. When it comes to adrenaline and the big league ball game and stuff like that, we feel like it\u2019s going to be back to normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kikuchi went on the injured list with shoulder inflammation after an April 29 start<\/a>. At first there was some concern that he might need season-ending surgery. Instead, he slowly rehabbed, and now he\u2019s going to be back in the rotation.<\/p>\n Kikuchi said before his last start, on Saturday at Rancho Cucamonga, that his stuff felt good, and his primary objectives for his last game were getting into the fifth inning and getting his velocity up to 97 mph.<\/p>\n The soonest Kikuchi could be inserted into the rotation would be Thursday in Houston. The Angels are currently scheduled to have Grayson Rodriguez start on Thursday, followed by Reid Detmers and Ryan Johnson on Friday and Saturday, respectively, against the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n One possibility, Suzuki said, would be to go with a six-man rotation.<\/p>\n The Angels don\u2019t have another off day until Aug. 27, after a nine-game stretch. Putting an extra starter in that stretch would work for the starters, but it could present a problem for the bullpen. The Angels would then have only seven relievers, instead of the normal eight.<\/p>\n The Angels will need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Kikuchi, who is currently on the 60-day injured list.<\/p>\n CATCHER TRIO<\/p>\n The Angels have had three catchers on the roster since acquiring Mois\u00e9s Ballesteros at the trade deadline. Since the Angels want to get a look at their new catcher<\/a>, Ballesteros will catch at least one game per series.<\/p>\n Between the two veterans, the Angels clearly are favoring Tyler Heineman<\/a>. That means that Travis d\u2019Arnaud<\/a> has been the odd man out. He started just twice in a 12-game span.<\/p>\n Suzuki said even though d\u2019Arnaud isn\u2019t playing much, he\u2019s still providing value.<\/p>\n \u201cHe helps out in the clubhouse, does a lot of things to help the other catchers see things differently,\u201d Suzuki said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely been a help.\u201d<\/p>\n NOTES<\/p>\n