The 2016 AL Rookie of the Year joins the Angels after posting a 2.98 ERA at Triple-A Sacramento, while Yusei Kikuchi makes his final rehab start Saturday
ANAHEIM — Another New Arm Joins the Angels’ Pitching Staff
The Angels have added another fresh arm to their pitching staff.
Los Angeles selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer and optioned left-handed reliever Sammy Peralta to Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Saturday night’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals. To clear space on the 40-man roster, catcher Sebastian Rivero was moved to the 60-day injured list.
Fulmer, 33, joined the Angels on a minor-league contract Aug. 11 after being released by the San Francisco Giants. He originally made his mark with the Detroit Tigers, winning the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year award and earning an All-Star selection in 2017 as a starting pitcher. A series of arm injuries eventually pushed him into a relief role.
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said the club needed another available arm and pointed to Fulmer’s experience as an added benefit. Suzuki praised Peralta for the work he provided after being called up but believes Fulmer’s background as both a starter and reliever could benefit the Angels, including their younger pitchers.
Fulmer has battled significant injury issues throughout his career. He missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was sidelined for all of 2024 following UCL revision surgery. When healthy, however, he has remained productive, recording a 3.58 ERA across 180 appearances for the Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox between 2021 and 2025.
This season, Fulmer went 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 37 relief appearances for Triple-A Sacramento before the Giants released him. Once he takes the mound for Los Angeles, Fulmer will become the 33rd different pitcher the Angels have used this season.
Suzuki already has some history with Fulmer. The Angels manager faced the right-hander twice on April 29, 2016, when Suzuki was with the Twins and Fulmer was a rookie for Detroit.
Suzuki recorded a single to center in their first matchup, giving him the early advantage. Fulmer responded during their second meeting by getting Suzuki to ground out.
“Yeah, it definitely makes you feel older,” Suzuki said. Still, he added that it is interesting to see how players he once faced have developed, noting that he remembers the pitches Fulmer had during his rookie season and is looking forward to seeing him pitch again.
FINAL REHAB OUTING FOR KIKUCHI
Yusei Kikuchi was scheduled to make what was expected to be his final rehab start with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday before potentially returning to the Angels.
Kikuchi has been on the injured list since April 30 while dealing with left shoulder inflammation. Suzuki said the left-hander was expected to throw between 80 and 85 pitches, which would represent his highest workload since beginning his rehab assignment July 30.
Kikuchi began his rehab stint with the Quakes before making his next two starts at Salt Lake. Across his first three rehab outings, he surrendered 15 hits and 14 earned runs over eight innings.
NOTES
Infielder Oswald Peraza, who is dealing with a left-hand contusion, took batting practice on the field and completed his normal pregame routine Saturday. Peraza has been out since being hit on the hand by a 95-mph fastball from Texas Rangers reliever Robby Ahlstrom on Wednesday. Meanwhile, reliever Sam Bachman, who is recovering from right forearm radial inflammation, has resumed playing catch and remains on schedule with his rehabilitation.
UP NEXT
The Angels will wrap up the series against the Royals on Sunday afternoon. Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (6-8, 4.45 ERA) is scheduled to face Los Angeles RHP Ryan Johnson (2-6, 6.71 ERA), with first pitch set for 1:07 p.m.
Leave a Reply