Los Angeles Angels rookie right-hander George Klassen exited Saturday’s contest against Cincinnati in the third inning due to a bruised nail on his right index finger. Klassen, making only his second major league start, struggled before the injury, surrendering five runs on five hits and five walks through two-plus innings of work. The Angels trailed 5-1 when he departed the game.

His brief outing included surrendering a solo home run to the Reds’ Spencer Steer. Klassen threw 72 pitches before being pulled, recording two strikeouts in the process. Allowing five base runners via walks in such limited action suggests command issues preceded the physical ailment that forced his early exit from the mound.

Acquired from Philadelphia in a July 2024 trade for Carlos Estévez, Klassen was a former sixth-round draft choice. His brief time on the mound offers little immediate clarity on his trajectory, especially given the team’s initial investment in acquiring him. The club needs to assess the severity of this finger injury quickly.

Klassen previously made his big-league debut on April 5 against Seattle, receiving no decision in that initial outing. He was the first Angels player to debut as a starter since Mitch Farris last September. The team now faces uncertainty regarding their young pitching depth following this setback to George Klassen.