Kikuchi (6-2) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up two runs on three hits and five walks over five innings in a 7-2 victory over the Brewers. He struck out four.
The southpaw had trouble finding the plate consistently, tossing only 55 of 98 pitches for strikes and issuing a season-high five free passes, but aside from a first-inning homer by William Contreras, he was able to come away unscathed. Kikuchi also continues to have trouble keeping the ball in the park -- he's served up seven home runs in his last four starts, and 15 in 56.1 innings on the season. He'll take a 4.47 ERA and 52:19 K:BB into his next outing, likely to come this weekend on the road against the Mets.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Struggles versus Tampa Bay
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Kikuchi (5-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings in a 7-3 loss against Tampa Bay. He struck out five.
Kikuchi allowed one run in the first and a pair of runs in the second and fourth but was able to submit a scoreless fifth before getting pulled. The five earned runs tied his second-highest mark of the season, and it was the fourth time he's surrendered multiple home runs. The left-hander has lost back-to-back starts and holds a 4.56 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 48:14 K:BB across 10 outings (51.1 innings). He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for early next week versus Milwaukee.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Stuck with first loss
Rotowire
Kikuchi (5-1) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays fell 6-2 to the Orioles, giving up three runs on three hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
All three runs came on a Ryan Mountcastle long ball in the third inning, but Kikuchi was somewhat lucky to escape without more damage. The 31-year-old southpaw has been taken deep six times in his last four starts, and on the season his 4.08 ERA hides an ominous 5.64 FIP while coming with a 1.32 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 46.1 innings. Kikuchi's next start will likely come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Struggles versus Atlanta
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Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and zero walks across four innings during a 6-5 win over Atlanta. He struck out seven.
Despite recording seven strikeouts, Kikuchi surrendered at least one run in each of his four innings, but he was let off the hook as the Blue Jays walked off Atlanta in the ninth. The left-hander has been a hit-or-miss player this season, allowing one or fewer earned runs in five of his eight starts while surrendering four or more in the other three outings. He'll look to get back on track during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set versus the Orioles.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Grabs fifth win
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Kikuchi (5-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings against the Pirates. He struck out three.
Kikuchi returned to form Sunday after allowing five runs in his last start in Boston. The 31-year-old left-hander has allowed one run or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.35 with a 1.19 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB through 37.2 innings. Improved command has been vital to Kikuchi's early-season success. His walk rate is down to 4.7 percent from 12.8 percent last year
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Stumbles against BoSox
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Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Red Sox, coughing up five runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.
The southpaw got hit hard, as five of the nine hits off him went for extra bases including homers by Christian Arroyo and Masataka Yoshida. Kikuchi is once again having trouble keeping the ball in the park -- after serving up 23 homers in 100.2 innings in 2022 (a 2.06 HR/9), he's already been taken deep eight times in 31.1 innings to begin 2023 (a 2.30 HR/9), and only some good fortune has kept his 4.02 ERA from being closer to his 5.44 FIP. He could be a risky play in his next outing, likely to come this weekend on the road against the surprising Pirates.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Improves to 4-0
Rotowire
Kikuchi (4-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings against the White Sox. He struck out eight.
Kikuchi was sharp again Wednesday, punching out eight White Sox over 5.2 scoreless innings. He's allowed just two runs over his last three starts (17.2 innings), logging 20 strikeouts in that span. Kikuchi lowered his ERA to 3.00 with a 1.11 WHIP and an impressive 28:6 K:BB. He'll look to stay undefeated in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Picks up third win
Rotowire
Kikuchi (3-0) earned the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings during a 6-1 victory over the Yankees. He struck out three.
Kikuchi got some early run support, and aside from a solo home run from Oswaldo Cabrera in the second inning, he cruised through six frames en route to his third victory of the season. After four starts (21.1 innings), Kikuchi sports a 3.80 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP with a solid 20:5 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch again during next week's three-game set against the White Sox.
Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Strikes out nine in victory
Rotowire
Kikuchi (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over six innings in a 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay. He struck out nine.
The only run Kikuchi allowed was a solo blast by Taylor Walls in the fourth inning. Outside of that, the left-hander was outstanding while throwing 67 of 94 pitches for strikes. The left-hander has now allowed no more than a run in two of his three starts this year with a six-run struggle against the Angels last Sunday sandwiched between. Kikuchi has shown almost no consistency throughout his career, but he'll look to build on this start with his next outing lined up for the weekend series against the Yankees.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Serves up three homers
Rotowire
Kikuchi allowed six runs on nine hits and one walk across 4.1 innings during Sunday's extra-inning win against the Angels. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.
Kikuchi surrendered three home runs and put Toronto in a 6-0 hole after four innings, but the offense rallied to take him off the hook for the loss. The left-hander gave up just one run in five frames during his season debut but allowed significant hard contact Sunday, though he did generate 14 swinging strikes. A matchup versus the Rays likely awaits for Kikuchi next weekend.
Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Picks up win in season debut
Rotowire
Kikuchi (1-0) earned the win Tuesday at Kansas City after he allowed one run on three hits across five innings. He had two strikeouts and one walk.
The left-hander showed strong command in his season debut, throwing 47 of his 69 pitches for strikes. The improved control is a welcome sign after Kikuchi posted a 5.2 BB/9 last year, which helped lead to his move from the rotation to the bullpen. One outing is hardly a trend, and the 31-year-old will attempt to replicate his strong debut next time out Sunday against the Angels.
Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Expected to have rotation spot
Rotowire
Kikuchi is slated to open the season in the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Kikuchi enjoyed his best start of the Grapefruit League schedule Thursday against the Twins, striking out nine batters over five scoreless innings. That put him at 25 strikeouts through 18 innings this spring, though he has also issued 10 walks. It's difficult to expect much consistency from the 31-year-old left-hander leading into the 2023 campaign after his rough showing in 2022, which saw him finish with a 5.19 ERA. Mitch White (shoulder) could eventually be an option to unseat him in that No. 5 spot in the rotation.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Struggles to find plate Friday
Rotowire
Kikuchi gave up two runs on one hit and three walks over 3.1 innings in Friday's split-squad game against the Phillies. He struck out three.
The southpaw got stretched out to 76 pitches, but only 46 of them went for strikes. Kikuchi looked good early in camp but his control has begun to desert him again with Opening Day growing closer, and he now has a 16:9 K:BB through 13 spring innings despite a superficially strong 1.38 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. The 31-year-old has a career 5.02 ERA and 3.67 BB/9 since coming to MLB in 2019, and there's been no real sign this spring he's going to be any more reliable in 2023.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Control wavers Sunday
Rotowire
Kikuchi allowed four hits and three walks over 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out four in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The southpaw ended up throwing 61 pitches (38 strikes) to get just eight outs, even if four of them did come via strikeout. Kikuchi remains the favorite to break camp with the No. 5 spot in the Blue Jays' rotation, and while he has yet to allow a run through four spring starts, his 13:6 K:BB in 9.2 innings is a reminder of both his tantalizing upside, and his erratic career in MLB to date.
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Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Another sharp outing
Rotowire
Kikuchi walked one and struck out two over two scoreless, no-hit innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
The southpaw has gotten his spring off to a quick start as he looks to secure the fifth starter role for the Blue Jays, tossing four scoreless innings in two starts with seven strikeouts and only one free pass. Kikuchi has struggled during his four years in MLB after a strong career in Japan, but he still has quality stuff and Toronto believes he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Robbie Ray as a successful reclamation project for pitching coach Pete Walker.
