On 25 October 1944, "Kumano" was part of the Japanese Central Force in the Battle off Samar. She was hit by a Mark 15 torpedo fired by the destroyer , which blew off her bow. As "Kumano" was retiring toward the San Bernardino Strait, she came under aerial attack and suffered minor damage. The next day, 26 October "Kumano" was attacked from aircraft launched by the carrier while in the Sibuyan Sea, and was struck by three bombs. She survived and sailed to Manila Bay for repairs on her bow and all four boilers. While still under repairs, she was attacked on 29 October by carrier aircraft from Task Force 38.