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The Angels optioned Klassen (finger) to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.
The right-hander exited his start against the Reds on Saturday with a right index fingernail contusion, but the fact he was optioned instead of placed on the injured list indicates the injury isn't a concern. Klassen was called up for his MLB debut last weekend and struggled over his first two big-league starts, surrendering seven earned runs with a 6:10 K:BB over 4.2 innings.
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Angels' George Klassen: Exits with trainer
Rotowire
Klassen was removed from his start Saturday against the Reds with a right index fingernail contusion.
Klassen coughed up five earned runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two batters over two-plus innings before one of the Angels' trainers came out to examine the right-hander's finger. It's unknown whether he'll make his next start, but the Angels should provide some clarity in the near future.
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Angels' George Klassen: Receiving another start
Rotowire
Klassen is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake last weekend to make his MLB debut, Klassen faltered in his first start with the Angels, failing to escape the third inning while yielding two earned runs on three hits and five walks. Though the 24-year-old righty's control left much to be desired, he displayed lively stuff, recording four punchouts while finishing with a strong 30.1 percent called-strike-plus-whiff rate. With Ryan Johnson (illness) recently joining Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) and Alek Manoah (finger) on the injured list, Klassen will get at least one more chance to prove that he's worthy of a spot in the big-league rotation.
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Angels' George Klassen: Shows flashes in MLB debut
Rotowire
Klassen didn't factor into the decision, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings Sunday against the Mariners.
Making the start on short notice, Klassen's debut was a mixed bag, with him flashing electric stuff but struggling with command and exiting early. The 24-year-old picked up his first career strikeout in a big spot, fanning Julio Rodriguez with a runner on third to escape the first inning. However, Seattle's patience forced him into a long second inning, where he allowed a two-run single before limiting further damage with another punchout. The right-hander's outing ended in the third after a bunt single and wild pitch put another runner in scoring position. Klassen's fastball (97-98 mph) and hard slider (92 mph) highlight his upside, but sharper control will be necessary for him to stick in a starting role anytime soon.
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Angels' George Klassen: Called up for MLB debut
Rotowire
The Angels selected Klassen's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
The 24-year-old missed out on the Halos' Opening Day rotation despite a strong showing during spring training, but he'll now make his MLB debut Sunday after Ryan Johnson (illness) was a late scratch. Klassen gave up one run with five strikeouts over 4.2 frames during his lone start for Salt Lake this year and struggled at the Double-A level in 2025 with a 5.35 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 126:46 K:BB across 102.2 innings.
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Angels' George Klassen: Assigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Angels assigned Klassen to minor-league camp Friday.
Klassen's strong start to spring training put him in contention to make the Angels' big-league rotation, but it looks like the 24-year-old will open 2026 in the minors. One of the Halos' top prospects, Klassen posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB across 11.2 innings this spring.
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Angels' George Klassen: Could be candidate for rotation
Rotowire
Klassen has had a strong spring training so far and may be looked at as an option for the Angels' Opening Day rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com implies.
Alek Manoah remains the favorite for the team's fifth-starter role, but he's had two straight rough spring starts, surrendering nine runs with a 7:7 K:BB over 6.1 innings. That could open the door for the Angels to consider other options, and Jack Kochanowicz -- who's pitched well so far -- may be the lead candidate for the rotation should Manoah not get the role. However, Bollinger points that Klassen has excelled this spring, as the young hurler has given up just two runs while registering a 9:3 K:BB over eight innings spanning three appearances. Klassen isn't on the 40-man roster and has just one Triple-A outing under his belt, so he's probably still a longshot to open the season in the majors. He's one of the Angels' top prospects, however, and the organization certainly hasn't been shy in recent years about rapidly advancing prospects through the minors and up to the majors.
Klassen has a 1.17 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB in 23 innings over his last four starts for Double-A Rocket City.
Klassen has some of the best pure stuff in the minors, and it's on brand for him to have a higher WHIP than ERA over this dominant stretch. He's cut his walk rate from 17.3 percent in seven starts at Double-A to close 2024 to 10 percent in 24 starts this year while logging a career-high 102.2 innings. His command still comes and goes, and he has six starts this year in which he has given up five or more earned runs, although he also has six starts with eight or more strikeouts. Klassen's below-average control may push him to the bullpen eventually, but the Angels figure to give him every opportunity to develop as a starting pitcher over the next couple years.
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Angels' George Klassen: Returns from minor-league IL
Rotowire
Klassen (concussion) was activated from Double-A Rocket City's 7-day injured list Sunday.
Klassen suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head by a line drive during his May 11 start. The 23-year-old was briefly hospitalized but has since been cleared to return, and he'll rejoin the rotation Sunday. Klassen owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 29 innings through his first seven starts with Rocket City.
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Angels' George Klassen: On minor-league concussion IL
Rotowire
Klassen was placed on the minor-league concussion IL on May 14 after being hit in the head by a line drive during a game May 11, per MLB.com.
Klassen was initially hospitalized due to the incident, but he's since left the hospital and is said to be improving after being diagnosed with a concussion. It's not yet clear when the 23-year-old will be ready to pitch in games again.
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Angels' George Klassen: Alert after taking liner to head
Rotowire
Klassen is awake and alert after taking a line drive to the head while pitching at Double-A Rocket City on Sunday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Klassen remains at the hospital and is still undergoing testing, but he is improving. More should be known later this week about the pitching prospect's timeline to return to a mound. Klassen has posted a 4.97 ERA and 36:7 K:BB over 29 innings covering seven starts for Rocket City in 2025.
The Angels acquired Klassen and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri from the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Estevez, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
One of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, Klassen dominated at the Single-A level to start the 2024 season, posting a 0.71 ERA in 38 innings before being promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. The 22-year-old had turned in a 4.22 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings at the High-A level.
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