Senior Otani, Yusei Kikuchi, had to leave early in his last start of the season due to a cramp in his left forearm.

During the Angels’ 3-2 victory over the Royals today, senior Otani Yusei Kikuchi left early before the sixth inning due to a cramp in his left forearm.

Kikuchi was set to warm up for the sixth inning but was quickly examined by the trainer, after which he left the mound and was replaced by José Fermín.

This game was anticipated to be his last start of the season. Kikuchi did not allow any hits through the first four innings until Randal Grichuk hit a home run at the start of the fifth inning. That was the only run and hit he gave up, along with one walk and six strikeouts, throwing a total of 66 pitches.

Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63.7 million contract with the Angels last offseason and has become one of the most dependable starters on the team this year. Despite injuries and instability affecting the team, he set career highs with 33 starts and 178.1 innings pitched, finishing the season with a 3.99 ERA.