Angels may kick their big rotation decisions down the road even after Yusei Kikuchi’s return

In just his fifth career start, George Klassen might have just stamped his spot in the Los Angeles Angels' rotation in the nick of time. The 24-year-old righty tossed seven shutout innings in Houston, allowing just one hit, walking three, and striking out seven on 86 pitches.

Klassen made two starts in early April, not making it through the third inning either time. He was then optioned back to Triple-A and not called back up until after the trade deadline. Upon his return, Klassen had a four-inning start with just one run, but walked four and threw over 80 pitches. His second appearance was his first quality start, a six-inning, two-run outing against the Rangers, and then he dominated the Astros.

The timing couldn't have been better for the Angels' #12 prospect (per MLB Pipeline), with veteran starter Yusei Kikuchi supposed to return from the IL within the week. The start against the Rangers gave Angels brass something to think about after his first appearance back in the majors didn't instill the most hope, but seven shutout innings against the division leader on the road should build a much longer runway.

George Klassen showing out and Yusei Kikuchi's return should have the Angels making a big decision

Kikuchi hasn't looked sharp in his rehab outings, but he and manager Kurt Suzuki believe the underlying metrics have shown he's ready to be back in the majors. Usually, a veteran starter returning from the IL kicks another player out, but in this instance, that may not be the case.

The Angels have nothing to prove the rest of the season. Every game should be about player development, not results, even if that is demoralizing to the fanbase and veterans on the roster. The Angels' rotation currently houses a breakout Reid Detmers, a young star in Walbert Ureña, rookie George Klassen, the team's former #2 prospect Ryan Johnson, and former top #10 prospect Grayson Rodriguez trying to rediscover that top prospect form. None of them should be moved from the rotation at this point in the season.

The best thing for all six of the starters is to move to a six-man rotation. That would give all of them games to keep refining their craft and improving, while also getting them extra days of rest so none of them get injured or, in Kikuchi's case, re-injured.

Klassen might have been the odd man out before his last start. He didn't have the prospect pedigree or the results to ensure his spot in the rotation, but now that isn't the case. The best thing for the Angels to do once Kikuchi is ready is to make a 6-man rotation.

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