Kochanowicz Elbow Injury
Angels put pitcher Jack Kochanowicz on IL with elbow inflammation, recalling Sam Aldegheri
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The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Jack Kochanowicz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation one day after he was knocked out after allowing seven runs on six hits in only one-third of an inning against the Dodgers. Kochanowicz said he has been dealing with the issue over his last three starts and that his changeup had begun to bother him; he had an X-ray and is scheduled for an MRI to determine the severity and recovery timeline. Over the recent stretch, his performance has deteriorated sharply, leaving him with a 2-5 record and a 6.05 ERA on the season after earlier success in April. In a corresponding move, the Angels recalled left-hander Sam Aldegheri from Triple-A Salt Lake, with initial expectations that he’ll provide bullpen help before covering rotation needs as the club manages a tight schedule. The Angels are set to face the Houston Astros next, with additional options on the staff depending on how Kochanowicz’s tests turn out. Managers said the IL move gives Kochanowicz time to reset mechanics, as the severity remains unknown pending Monday’s imaging.
Key Points
1
In the Saturday opener vs. the Dodgers, Kochanowicz surrendered an early burst by allowing “six straight hits to open the bottom of the first,” and he was recorded for only “one out” while giving up seven runs (six earned) before being replaced by Brent Suter.
2
Kochanowicz said the changeup issue was directly tied to his elbow pain—clarifying that after Saturday he believed it was “some inflammation,” but “yesterday on the changeup specifically, it was just a little more painful,” and that his between-starts work had been limited for the last three starts.
3
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki emphasized the uncertainty of the MRI: “Anytime you have to get an MRI, it’s not exciting,” and said he hopes results show “nothing serious,” adding that he had known the elbow had been bothering Kochanowicz before but it had never reached Saturday’s level.
4
Sam Aldegheri’s initial role was bullpen-focused rather than immediate rotation coverage—reported as being needed “for now” because the Angels’ relievers had to work “7⅔ innings on Saturday night.” The team also cited a recent performance as part of why he was trusted for coverage: he threw “5⅓ scoreless innings” in relief last week, which Suzuki called “the best he’s seen Aldegheri.”
5
The Dodgers also exploited Kochanowicz’s changeup specifically: the report noted hitters slugging “.417” against his changeup this year despite his WHIFF% rising to “31.3” from “29.4” last season, including a two-run homer by Andy Pages after Kochanowicz left a changeup in the middle of the strike zone.
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