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Yusei Kikuchi Hopes to Return in the Second Half of the Season
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) said earlier this week that he's set to start his throwing program soon after being diagnosed with left-shoulder inflammation in early May, and he's hopeful that he can return in the early part of the second half of the season, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list after leaving his start early after two innings on April 29 with shoulder discomfort. Surgery was never considered an option despite receiving a second opinion from a personal doctor. Kikuchi believes that he can return by late July. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to pick Kikuchi up off the waiver wire -- he's currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues -- after the 34-year-old southpaw had a 5.81 ERA with 33 strikeouts, 14 walks, and three homers allowed in 31 innings over seven starts before his shoulder injury. Managers have quickly forgotten that Kikuchi was an All-Star for the second time in his career in Anaheim in 2025, registering a 3.99 ERA with 174 K's in 178 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
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