ANAHEIM, Calif. — Things have not gone Jack Kochanowicz's way this season, to say the least.
The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake after Thursday night's game against the Texas Rangers, where Kochanowicz allowed eight earned runs in 2.2 innings. Jake Eder was recalled for the corresponding move.
"We want him to be a part of what we're doing, and that was the message," interim manager Ray Montgomery said. "I've been in the game a long time, going down to the minor leagues to get yourself right is what it's for, and the intention of that is exactly that. He has to go get some things worked out, and then he'll be back."
After his blowup start on Thursday, Kochanowicz now sports the game's worst ERA (6.03), FIP (5.54), batting average against (.294) and WHIP (1.63). Kochanowicz also struggled with command, as his walk rate just about tripled from 3.8% last year to 10.8% this year.
It's been a stark difference this year compared to last for Kochanowicz, who impressed the Angels in his first stint in the big leagues. More specifically, his last nine starts, where he posted a 2.78 ERA.
Kochanowicz had a good spring training on top of that to earn the fifth spot in the rotation on the opening day roster.
"I want him to, quite honestly, be more selfish in who he is on the mound, and really take control of the game himself, and not defer and look for others," Montgomery said about what Kochanowicz needs to work on in the minors. "I think that's the growth of young pitchers, when they start to learn what their strengths are. I think some of the things he saw here with his spin, and some of those things have to be in place for him to be good."
Montgomery said there are still conversations to be had about how the rotation will look moving forward, and he doesn't know who will fill in for the time being. The timing works out for the Angels as the All-Star break begins on Monday and the team will have four days off.
The Angels are currently the only team in baseball to use only five starting pitchers, a streak that will ultimately come to an end after almost 100 games.
"The big thing before (Kochanowicz) left was him understanding that there's a plan in place for him to work on certain things to make sure that those don't happen again when he returns," Montgomery said.
KIKUCHI NOT PARTICIPATING IN ALL-STAR GAME
Before Friday night's game, it was announced that Yusei Kikuchi would not be participating in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Kikuchi starts on Saturday night and will not be available to throw in the All-Star game.
Montgomery said that this was Kikuchi's decision, but Kikuchi will still be attending the game.
Kikuchi is the lone Angels representative, which means this will be the first time since 2017 that the Angels will have no representatives on the active roster for the All-Star Game.