Angels Make Yusei Kikuchi Announcement After Leaving Dodgers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 18, 2025 7:35 PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels are looking for a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon. Taking the first two games of the freeway series, the Angels improved to 19-25 as they look to climb the AL West standings.

Turning to veteran starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi for Sunday's contest, the Angels got a fantastic outing from the Japanese left-hander. Pitching 5.2 innings, Kikuchi allowed just one earned run on three hits. He did surrender four walks, but struck out seven Dodgers hitters in what was an overall fantastic outing that put his team in position to secure the sweep.

Unfortunately for the Angels and Kikuchi, he was forced to exit the game early after an apparent ankle injury. Covering first base with one out in the sixth inning, Kikuchi took a scary fall that ended his afternoon at 98 pitches. The Angels have since announced an official update.

"Yusei Kikuchi was removed from today's game with right ankle irritation," the team's official public relations account wrote on X.

Yusei Kikuchi is coming out of the game after this play at first base. It was also overturned to an out. pic.twitter.com/c0TeIB6GT8
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 18, 2025

All things considered, this is seemingly a positive update from the Angels, assuming there is no further testing to be done regarding a more severe injury. Kikuchi's day was coming to a close anyways due to his pitch count, but it seemed Angels manager Ron Washington was prepared to let him finish the sixth inning.

He exited with the Angels leading the Dodgers 4-1, putting his team in great position to finish with a win. On the season, Kikuchi now owns a 3.50 ERA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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