TEMPE, Ariz. -- Lefty Yusei Kikuchi was dominant down the stretch with the Astros last season once he started to incorporate his slider more to pair with his mid-90s fastball. But now, Kikuchi has added a new pitch to that mix -- a sweeper.
Kikuchi, who will be the Angels' Opening Day starter, debuted it against the Dodgers in his first start of the spring on Feb. 28, getting a swing and miss against Shohei Ohtani and striking out Will Smith with the pitch. Kikuchi's next scheduled start was rained out on March 7, causing him to instead pitch indoors in a simulated game, but he returned to the mound with a strong outing against the Royals on Friday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Kikuchi, who struck out eight while allowing one run on five hits over 4 1/3 innings, believes his sweeper will help him this year. His slider averages 87 mph with two inches of break compared to his sweeper at 81 mph with 16 inches of break. He also has a curveball and a changeup as part of his arsenal, but his sweeper gives him a different look he didn¡¯t previously offer.
¡°It¡¯s a pitch I can keep in my back pocket kind of thing,¡± Kikuchi said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. ¡°Just pick and choose different spots to use it. I wouldn't say, like, play around with it, but just making sure I know when to use it.¡±
Kikuchi said his next and final start before the March 27 season opener against the White Sox will come in either a Minor League game or in a simulated setting. So while he made just two Cactus League starts this spring, he believes he¡¯s getting plenty of work to get ready for his first start of the regular season. He estimated he¡¯ll throw roughly 90 pitches in his next outing and is pleased with how he¡¯s been feeling this spring.
¡°Three walks, but I threw most of the pitches where I wanted to today,¡± Kikuchi said. ¡°Just be careful with that next time. And I¡¯ll get ready for the next one. I¡¯d like to get to 90 pitches or so. I just have to make sure I get to that number, and I¡¯ll be ready for Opening Day.¡±
Rengifo plays four innings, likely to be ready for Opening Day
Luis Rengifo dealt with an illness early in camp and recently had some hamstring tightness, but he returned to the lineup against the Royals for just his second game of the spring. Rengifo started at third base, playing four innings and going 0-for-2 at the plate after Yo¨¢n Moncada was scratched with thumb soreness. But Rengifo is on track to be the club¡¯s starting second baseman on Opening Day and manager Ron Washington said he believes Rengifo has enough time to get ready for the opener.
¡°If he has no setbacks, everything should be good,¡± Washington said. ¡°Today, we get a chance to see him run the bases, see him move on defense, and if all of that continues to go well and he stays on the program we¡¯ve got him on, he should be good to go.¡±
Rengifo also said he¡¯s feeling good and just needs to work on his timing at the plate before the start of the season. He also believes it won¡¯t be an issue to get ready by Opening Day.
¡°I feel good,¡± Rengifo said. ¡°I was just excited to be back on the field. I¡¯m going to be ready. I just need to see more pitching before that day.¡±
Angels tidbits
? Angels legend Tim Salmon arrived at camp as a guest instructor on Friday. Former Angels infielder Cole Tucker has also been in camp to shadow the club¡¯s coaches, as he¡¯s looking to get into coaching after his playing career ended last season.
? Washington said the Angels will start rolling out lineups that look more like their potential Opening Day lineup on Wednesday. They¡¯ve been having their catchers hit second in spring to get them more at-bats without having to catch extra innings in the process, but they¡¯ll move down in the order next week.
? Sean Kazmar Jr., the organization¡¯s assistant field coordinator, will get the chance to manage Angels prospects in the club's Spring Breakout game on Saturday night against Cubs prospects at Sloan Park. It will be broadcast on MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, MLB Network, MARQ+ and Gameday.