Angels Place Jack Kochanowicz on 15-Day IL With Right Elbow Inflammation, Recall Sam Aldegheri

Kochanowicz’s right elbow issue, flagged after his last three starts and aggravated while throwing changeups, sidelines him ahead of Sunday’s series finale at Dodger Stadium.

By The Apex Times Newsroom3 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Jack Kochanowicz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, making room for a bullpen-and-rotation reset ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The move came after Kochanowicz managed only one out in his start on Saturday, a outing that ended with him leaving early as the Dodgers took command.

The team’s medical timeline is now the story. Kochanowicz said the elbow issue had been affecting him through his previous three starts and flared while he was throwing his changeup on Saturday. He underwent an X-ray exam that came back negative, but he will get an MRI on Monday to determine how the Angels should proceed. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki indicated that the organization will wait for results before mapping out a path forward, noting that an elbow MRI is “never great,” even when it is hoped that nothing serious is found.

On the field, Kochanowicz’s season arc has been the backdrop for the decision. reported that he opened with a 3.05 ERA through his first seven starts before posting an 11.51 ERA over his last six outings, including an 18.90 ERA over his final three. For the season at the time of the announcement, he was at 6.05 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 36 walks in 64 innings. Against the Dodgers, also reported his velocity was “fine” and his fastball averaged 97 mph, while he said the changeups were what bothered him most during the outing.

In a corresponding move, the Angels recalled left-hander Sam Aldegheri from Triple-A Salt Lake. described Aldegheri as the club’s No. 16 prospect and framed his call-up as an answer for the immediate need created by Kochanowicz’s IL stint, with Aldegheri also viewed as a possible option to fill Kochanowicz’s rotation spot if the Angels determine that makes sense.

Aldegheri’s most recent big-league look has come in relief. reported that in his prior appearance out of the bullpen, he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Rockies, recording five strikeouts and issuing two walks. That performance gave the Angels at least one internal reference point for how Aldegheri’s arm has been trending in the majors, though Suzuki also made clear the decision would depend on how the staff evaluates all rotation candidates once the injury information is clarified.

Kochanowicz’s absence also opens a short-term competition among other pitching options. reported that right-handers Caden Dana and George Klassen were among the additional candidates for Kochanowicz’s rotation spot, while Dana and Klassen have also recently pitched at Triple-A Salt Lake with encouraging stretches that the club can reference as it weighs usage. With an MRI pending, the Angels now face the immediate balancing act that comes with elbow inflammation, protecting the long-term health of a starter while also maintaining enough stability to keep the rotation moving.

Why It Matters

For the Angels, Kochanowicz’s IL stint forces a rapid rotation reconfiguration, with Aldegheri, Dana, and Klassen discussed as internal options once the team has clarity from the MRI.
Because the injury involves elbow inflammation, the next staff decision impacts how aggressively the Angels can plan the timing of pitching opportunities for both the recalled left-hander and other starters.
Kochanowicz’s recent performance trend, including an elevated ERA over his final stretch, means the Angels have limited margin for patience, making the next couple starts and any subsequent roster moves highly consequential.
Aldegheri’s call-up is an immediate test of how his recent bullpen form can translate into a larger role, depending on what the Angels learn on Monday.

Sources

Key Facts

The Angels placed right-hander Jack Kochanowicz on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on June 7, 2026.
Kochanowicz said the issue affected him during his last three starts and flared while throwing changeups in Saturday’s start.
Kochanowicz had an X-ray that came back negative and is set to undergo an MRI exam on Monday.
In a corresponding move, the Angels recalled left-hander Sam Aldegheri from Triple-A Salt Lake.
reported Kochanowicz had a 3.05 ERA through his first seven starts and an 11.51 ERA over his last six outings, with a season line of 6.05 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and 36 walks in 64 innings.
Aldegheri is considered a candidate to help cover bullpen duties immediately and could be part of the rotation conversation after a reported 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his prior long-relief appearance vs. the Rockies.