TEMPE, Ariz. \u2014 With Japan\u2019s early exit in the World Baseball Classic, the Angels at least have all their starting pitchers back in camp.<\/p>\n
Now, they just need to figure out how to use them.<\/p>\n
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi returned to the Angels from pitching for Japan on Monday, with a new motivation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had so much fun, to be able to perform under that type of pressure,\u201d Kikuchi said through an interpreter. \u201cNow I know what it feels like to play under pressure, so it really made me want to go play in the postseason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kikuchi averaged 96 mph on his fastball in his only start in the WBC, which was slightly up from his average of 95 mph during the regular season last year. He said he was up to 98 mph in workouts.<\/p>\n
Kikuchi will make one more start in Arizona, and he said he\u2019s good to go for 80 pitches.<\/p>\n
When he starts in the regular season is to be determined. Manager Kurt Suzuki that he\u2019d \u201chave something for you guys\u201d on the Opening Day starter on Tuesday. Jos\u00e9 Soriano is also a candidate.<\/p>\n
The real question remains the back end of the rotation.<\/p>\n
Right-handers Alek Manoah, Ryan Johnson, Jack Kochanowicz, George Klassen and Walbert Ure\u00f1a and left-hander Mitch Farris are all still in camp. All have pitched at least three innings in Cactus League games. Johnson and Kochanowicz were the only ones who have pitched four innings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still up in the air on that,\u201d Suzuki said. \u201cWe got a few guys in the mix there. Kind of seeing what plays out and all that stuff. You\u2019d like to name it sooner than later obviously, not for just our sake, but for their sake too.\u201d<\/p>\n
NETO UPDATE<\/p>\n
Zach Neto did some defensive drills, hit off a tee and then took batting practice on the field, with no apparent issues.<\/p>\n
Suzuki said he was impressed with how well Neto hit during BP.<\/p>\n
\u201dI said \u2018you need to hurt your wrist more often,\u2019\u201d Suzuki quipped.<\/p>\n
Neto was planning to play in a minor league game on Tuesday, but the Angels decided to have him wait a day since the minor league game in Tempe on Tuesday was an A-ball game. Suzuki said he didn\u2019t want to take a chance of Neto getting hit by a pitch from a young pitcher without command.<\/p>\n
Instead, Neto is expected to play in the big league game on Wednesday.<\/p>\n