Breaking News: ‘Absolutely Sad News’ Angels ace takes bitter shot at organization after removal

The Los Angeles Angels are sinking toward the bottom of the MLB standings, and frustration is starting to show among the remaining healthy players.

Interim manager Ray Montgomery is trying to juggle the clubhouse personalities while making his case to shed the interim tag going into 2026.

But his efforts to keep tensions in check don’t appear to be working—especially after the team’s ace voiced his frustrations to the media following their seventh consecutive defeat, which pushed them 15 games under .500 and into the cellar of the AL West.

Angels ace takes bitter shot at organization after removal from September start

In the Angels’ series finale against the Brewers, Los Angeles held a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Ray Montgomery pulled Yusei Kikuchi after 92 pitches, opting for José Fermin against Caleb Durbin—a hitter Kikuchi had already walked and surrendered an infield hit to earlier. Fermin allowed one of Kikuchi’s inherited runners to score, costing the Angels their lead.

After the game, Kikuchi didn’t hide his frustration:
“All year I’ve been grinding for the team. In that spot, I wanted to be trusted a little more, and I felt like I wasn’t trusted in that moment.”

It was a pointed jab at Montgomery from one of the Angels’ most important players. While Kikuchi has rarely been allowed to go deep into games—he’s topped six innings just four times in 32 starts—the ace was handling the league’s best team, and the quick hook highlighted Montgomery’s shaky feel for the moment. With the Angels expected to explore multiple managerial options for 2026, this decision could further weaken his case.

Montgomery does have cover: the Angels are out of contention, Kikuchi is 34 and only in the first year of a three-year deal, and the club has been carefully managing his workload. He hasn’t thrown 100 pitches since August 9 against Detroit.

Still, with Kikuchi averaging just 5.1 innings per start and voicing clear irritation, the pattern of early exits is raising questions. As one of the most reliable arms on the roster, his lack of trust from the dugout is becoming hard to justify.