Yusei Kikuchi Injury News & Updates

Kikuchi (11-6) picked up the win Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five-plus innings in an 11-4 victory over the Rays. He struck out four.

The southpaw blanked Tampa for five innings before fading in the sixth and giving up three straight extra-base hits to open the frame, but the Jays were already up 8-0 at that point. Kikuchi stumbles into a likely postseason run -- Toronto needs just one more win, or a Seattle loss, to clinch a wild-card spot -- with a 5.02 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB through 28.2 innings in September.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on nine hits over four innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out seven.

Kikuchi's now gone five straight starts without pitching more than five innings. He appeared to be on a short leash Sunday, throwing just 73 pitches, after departing his previous start against the Yankees with cramps. Kikuchi will carry a 10-6 record with a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 177 strikeouts into his final start of the regular season, tentatively scheduled as a rematch next weekend with the Rays.

Kikuchi (neck) is scheduled to start Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kikuchi made an early exit from his last start Tuesday against the Yankees because of a left upper trap muscle cramp, but it was never much of a concern and he'll stay on turn this weekend versus the Rays. The 32-year-old left-hander holds a solid 3.74 ERA and 170:46 K:BB in 158.2 innings (30 starts) this season with Toronto.

Kikuchi was removed from Tuesday's game against the Yankees with a left upper trap muscle cramp, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kikuchi was able to get through five innings of one-run ball before cramping forced him out of the game. Kikuchi's status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday -- remains up in the air, and he should be considered day-to-day until more details are provided.

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision Friday in the Blue Jays' 5-4 win over the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

The southpaw hasn't picked up a win in over a month, but he pitched well enough to earn one Friday, generating 32 called or swinging strikes on 88 pitches. During his winless streak, Kikuchi has posted a 3.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB through 33.1 innings, so his luck figures to turn at some point. He's next set to take the mound at home next week against the Rangers.

Kikuchi (9-5) allowed six runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Rockies on Saturday.

After a five-start stretch of allowing one run or fewer, Kikuchi has been tagged for 13 runs (nine earned) over his last 15.1 innings. The Blue Jays' defense didn't do him any favors Saturday, as a pair of Ernie Clement errors at shortstop led to four of the Rockies' runs. Kikuchi is now at a 3.63 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 152:42 K:BB through 143.2 innings through 27 starts this season. His ratios are still the best he's posted in his five-year career. Kikuchi is lined up for a favorable home start versus the Royals next week.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over six innings against the Guardians. He struck out eight.

Kikuchi allowed two in the fourth, then two more in the sixth to earn the no decision. The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the sixth to give Kikuchi a chance to earn his 10th victory, but then gave up the lead in the eighth and later lost in extras. Kikuchi has now allowed seven runs over his past two outings, but has otherwise been outstanding of late, maintaining a 2.36 ERA with 50 strikeouts spanning 45.2 innings over his past eight starts.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over 4.2 innings in a 6-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out six.

After allowing a run in the opening frame, Kikuchi delivered three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the fifth, allowing two more runs before he was pulled after throwing 82 pitches. It's the first time Kikuchi has allowed more than one run in a start since July 6 -- he'd worked to a 1.29 ERA over his prior six outings (35 innings). Overall, the 32-year-old left-hander is 9-4 with a 3.52 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 138:36 K:BB across 25 starts (133 innings) this season. Kikuchi is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Guardians in his next outing this weekend.

Kikuchi came away with a no-decision Tuesday in the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Phillies, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The southpaw delivered his fourth straight quality start on an efficient 84 pitches (58 strikes), but Zack Wheeler was just as sharp for Philadelphia, leaving the bullpens to decide things. Since the All-Star break, Kikuchi has a stellar 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 36:8 K:BB through 35 innings. He's next set to take the mound on the road early next week against the Orioles.

Kikuchi (9-4) took the loss Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings against Cleveland. He struck out six.

Kikuchi was magnificent Tuesday, earning his third consecutive quality start. The 32-year-old's sole blemish came in the second inning when Oscar Gonzalez reached on an infield single and scored on a Ramon Laureano double. Kikuchi then retired 16 of the final 18 batters he faced; however, he didn't receive any run support and was tagged with an unfortunate loss. The southpaw has been lights out in five outings since the All-Star break, boasting a 1.24 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB across 29 innings during that stretch. Kikuchi will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is projected to take place at home versus the Cubs over the weekend.

Kikuchi (9-3) picked up the win in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Orioles, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw tossed 60 of 91 pitches for strikes in his second straight quality start. Kikuchi has an impressive 1.23 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 22 innings since the All-Star break, and his current form should allow him to hold onto a rotation spot even after Toronto cuts back down to a five-man unit later this month. He'll try to stay efficient and effective in his next outing, likely to come early next week in Cleveland.

Kikuchi (8-3) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings in an 8-1 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out eight.

The southpaw delivered his first quality start since June 25 while generating an impressive 33 called or swinging strikes among his 103 pitches. Kikuchi wraps up July with a 3.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings on the month, and he'll need to keep pitching well if he wants to hang onto his rotation spot with Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) on the verge of making his 2023 debut.

Kikuchi allowed five hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.1 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

Kikuchi pitched into the sixth inning for the first time in four starts in July, and he delivered his third scoreless effort of the season. While he's had some struggles this year, the Blue Jays' bullpen was responsible for this loss. Kikuchi is now at a reasonable 3.92 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 108:31 K:BB over 103.1 innings through 20 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels his next time out, though Kikuchi could be bumped up to a take a road start versus the Dodgers if Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) needs one more rehab start in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.

Though Kikuchi only allowed two hits, he continuously put himself in difficult situations, walking three batters and hitting two others during 4.1 innings of work. The first run against Kikuchi came on an errant pickoff attempt that allowed Lourdes Gurriel to score in the first frame, while the second run came on a wild pitch that plated Nick Ahmed in the third. Kikuchi's lack of control was uncharacteristic, as he hadn't walked more than two batters in six straight appearances and had only hit one batter leading up to Sunday's outing. Kikuchi will look to regain his command in his next projected start, which is lined up to come against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

Kikuchi allowed four runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against the White Sox in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Kikuchi displayed solid control (he threw 53 of 76 pitches for a strike) and racked up 14 whiffs, but he lasted just five frames. A third-inning two-run homer by Eloy Jimenez accounted for half the overall damage against the southpaw, who has given up nine runs over 9.1 innings through two starts in July. That follows what had looked to be a breakout month of June during which Kikuchi posted a 2.28 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB across 27.2 frames.

Kikuchi (7-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against Boston. He struck out seven.

Kikuchi was first victimized by a two-run home run from Rafael Devers in the top of the third to put the Blue Jays down 2-1. He would again run into trouble in the fifth after giving up a leadoff single to Rob Refsnyder, surrendering another three runs in the inning on four hits as Boston added to its lead. It marked the lefty's first loss since May 24 against the Rays, which was also the last time he allowed five runs in a start this season. Kikuchi had made it through at least six innings in each of his previous two starts and now sports a 40:8 K:BB ratio since the start of June following his seven-strikeout performance.

Kikuchi (7-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over seven innings against the Athletics. He struck out eight.

Kikuchi lasted seven innings for the first time all season Sunday, giving up just one run to pick up his first win since May 30. The outing marked his second consecutive appearance allowing two hits while also being his second straight quality start. Over his last five appearances (32.2 innings), Kikuchi boasts a 2.48 ERA and a 37:11 K:BB despite dishing out six home runs. He's tentatively lined up for a home start against Boston late next week.

Kikuchi didn't factor in the decision Tuesday in Miami after he allowed just two hits across six scoreless innings. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter.

The left-hander surrendered only a pair of singles but missed out on a victory since Toronto wasn't able to break a scoreless tie until the eighth inning. The dominant outing ends a streak of seven straight starts in which Kikuchi failed to pitch beyond the fifth frame. He had a 5.40 ERA and gave up 11 home runs during that stretch. The 32-year-old tentatively lines up to next take the mound this weekend versus Oakland, which is a favorable matchup to build on Tuesday's performance.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Aside from allowing an RBI single to Gunnar Henderson in the first, Kikuchi was able to pitch his way out of trouble through the first four innings while striking out six. However, he would go on to cough up the game-tying run on a leadoff homer from Adley Rutschman to start the fifth after leaving a four-seamer over the middle of the plate. The lefty has now allowed two earned runs in four consecutive starts while posting 19 strikeouts to only four walks in the month of June.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Twins, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Once again, the southpaw's inability to keep the ball in the park kept him from dominating -- Michael Taylor's two-run blast in the fifth inning put the Jays in a 2-0 hole, and Kikuchi exited the game in line for his third loss before his offense got him off the hook. The 31-year-old has served up 18 homers on the year -- tied with the Royals' Jordan Lyles for the most in the league -- and things have only gotten worse for Kikuchi as the weather has warmed up, as he's been taken deep 10 times in 28.2 innings over his last six starts. His fortunes may not improve in his next outing either, as he lines up for a road start next week against Baltimore and noted Jays-killer Ryan Mountcastle -- who has three homers in nine career at-bats against Kikuchi.

Kikuchi did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings against the Mets. He struck out eight.

Kikuchi has allowed two runs in each of his last two starts after pitching to a 7.90 ERA in his previous three outings. Tommy Pham was responsible for both of the runs against Kikuchi on Sunday, with a pair of solo homers. The 31-year-old left-hander is 6-2 with a 4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB through 12 starts (61.1 innings) this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Twins at home in his next outing.

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.

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. His 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 the opener of a three-game set versus Milwaukee.

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.

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.

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 lefthander 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

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.

Kikuchi (4-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing no runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 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.

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 homer 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 with the White Sox.

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 on 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 against the Yankees.

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.

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.

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 in 18 innings on the 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. Mitch White (shoulder) could eventually be an option to unseat him in that No. 5 rotation spot.

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.

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.

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.

Kikuchi seemed more focused on the mound during his spring debut Saturday against the Pirates, a change that may have been prompted by MLB's new pitch clock, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old left-hander has had a very up-and-down MLB career so far, posting an ERA under 5.00 only once in four seasons, but Kikuchi's arm talent has never been in question. Being forced to work more quickly could prove to be a boon for him, as he won't be able to overthink things and will simply have to get the ball to the plate. "I think the clock is going to help him with the way he worked," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Saturday. "The tempo was fabulous." Kikuchi worked two scoreless innings against Pittsburgh, giving up one hit and striking out five, and if he continues to impress in camp he should emerge as the favorite for the fifth starter spot ahead of Mitch White (shoulder).

Kikuchi told Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker that "it's the best he's felt in five years," Walker relayed to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com Thursday.

"His confidence level is high right now. He's excited," Walker added. Kikuchi -- who will start the Jays' Grapefruit League opener Saturday -- has made tweaks to his delivery and looks sharp early on this spring. The left-hander posted a 5.19 ERA in his disappointing first season in Toronto, but he did strike out 124 over 100.2 innings and is viewed as the favorite to capture the fifth spot in the rotation.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Kikuchi has made encouraging adjustments to his delivery, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

"I love what I've seen out of Yusei so far," said Schneider. "He's made some small tweaks with his arm path and spent a lot of time in the offseason working on it." Kikuchi is expected to contend with Mitch White this spring for the final spot in the Jays' season-opening starting rotation. The 31-year-old left-hander struggled to a 5.19 ERA in 100.2 innings last season for Toronto.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said Thursday the team wants to "learn more and see more" before locking Kikuchi into the rotation for 2023, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

Kikuchi joined Toronto on a three-year, $36 million deal in March and endured a rough first season with the team, as he finished with a 5.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 124:58 K:BB across 100.2 innings. He started in 20 of 32 appearances but also struggled in his 12 relief outings. The Blue Jays may need to add a couple starters in free agency for Kikuchi to comfortably be kept out of the rotation to begin 2023 since Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) won't be available until the second half of the season, at least.

Kikuchi is the leading candidate to start Wednesday in Baltimore, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

It's Alek Manoah's turn in the rotation, but the Jays will seemingly save him for the playoffs. Kikuchi's strikeouts spiked after a move to the bullpen Aug. 17, as he has 31 strikeouts over 16.2 innings. However, he has remained ineffective at preventing runs, logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.56 WHIP while surrendering four home runs and walking nine across that stretch.

Interim manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Kikuchi will transition to a relief role, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 31-year-old has surrendered 14 runs (11 earned) over 17.1 innings since the All-Star break and has a 5.25 ERA for the season, and the Blue Jays have seen enough with him in the rotation. Mitch White will step into the rotation Saturday against the Yankees with Kikuchi now in the bullpen.

Kikuchi (4-7) took the loss Monday as the Blue Jays were downed 7-3 by the Orioles, coughing up six runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw's own error on a pickoff attempt in the fourth inning was just one of Toronto's defensive miscues on the night, helping to soften the blow to his ERA, but Kikuchi was hit hard when he did allow contact -- three of the four hits off him went for extra bases, including a two-run homer by Jays nemesis Ryan Mountcastle. Since returning to the rotation at the end of July, Kikuchi has a 5.71 ERA thanks to a 2.6 HR/9 despite an otherwise solid 1.33 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 17.1 innings.

Kikuchi (4-6) took the loss Monday as the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw tossed 52 of 84 pitches for strikes, but once again bad things tended to happen when he was over the plate. Kikuchi gave up only four homers in 41.1 innings through the end of May, but his season has been a disaster since as he's been taken deep multiple times in five of his last 10 starts, leading to a 6.93 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB over his last 37.2 frames.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Rays, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw put together a solid line but got the hook after 74 pitches (44 strikes), as Toronto interim manager John Schneider didn't want him to face the Tampa Bay batting order for a third time. Kikuchi has been solid in two starts since returning from the IL, allowing three runs in nine innings with a 10:2 K:BB, but his 4.86 ERA on the season remains lackluster.

Kikuchi (4-5) earned the win over Detroit on Thursday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Kikuchi was activated earlier in the day after spending three weeks on the injured list due to a neck strain, and he was able to give Toronto 67 pitches and five innings en route to the victory. The only run against him came on a second-inning home run off the bat of Willi Castro. Kikuchi has completed five innings in only seven of 17 starts this season, so it was particularly notable that he was able to reach that mark in his first contest coming off an injury.

Kikuchi (neck) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Thursday's start against the Tigers.

Kikuchi missed three weeks due to his neck strain, but he made a rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo last week and struck out four in five scoreless innings. The left-hander wasn't particularly sharp ahead of his IL sting, posting a 6.82 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 33 innings over his nine starts prior to his absence.

Kikuchi (neck) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's home game against the Tigers, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Kikuchi has been on the IL since July 7 due to a neck strain, but he began a rehab assignment last week and allowed two hits and three walks while striking out four in five scoreless innings during his lone minor-league start. He threw a side session Tuesday and has been cleared to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation for Thursday's series opener against the Tigers. Kikuchi threw 77 pitches during his rehab start, so he should be able to handle a relatively significant workload against a favorable opponent.

Kikuchi (neck) threw a side session Tuesday and could be activated to start Thursday versus Detroit, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's unclear how long the club will wait to announce when Kikuchi is returning. The lefty struggled prior to his injury, posting a 7.99 ERA in 23.2 innings over his last seven starts, but the Tigers' hapless lineup could help him ease back into MLB action.

Kikuchi (neck) covered five scoreless innings and struck out four in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. He scattered two hits and three walks in the outing.

The Blue Jays have yet to officially announce Kikuchi's next step, but since the veteran southpaw turned in quality results in his rehab outing while building up to 77 pitches, he should be ready to re-enter the rotation when the big club requires a fifth starter during their four-game series with the Tigers later this week. Though a potential matchup with a punchless Detroit offense is a good one for Kikuchi, he's been difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint when healthy this season. Over 16 starts with Toronto, Kikuchi owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB across 65 innings.

Kikuchi (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Kikuchi landed on the injured list due to a neck strain July 7 and will require at least one rehab start prior to rejoining the Blue Jays' rotation. It's not yet clear how many appearances the southpaw will make with the minor-league club, but he'll likely be in the mix to return sometime next week or in early August.

Kikuchi (neck) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kikuchi isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list this week after he was deactivated July 7 due to a neck strain, but the fact that he's back on the mound already suggests he won't be in store for an extended absence. Even if he remains uninhibited as he builds back up from the injury, Kikuchi may not be guaranteed a spot in the Toronto rotation upon his return from the IL. The veteran southpaw was productive over a stretch of five starts in May, but he's mostly struggled in his other 11 outings on the season. He'll carry a 5.12 ERA and 1.57 WHIP into the All-Star break.

Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a neck strain Thursday.

Kikuchi struggled in his start Tuesday at Oakland, allowing four earned runs across 2.1 innings. There was no indication that he dealt with an injury during the game, though he'll now be sidelined until at least late July. The team has not announced a replacement in the rotation, but Thomas Hatch recently made an unsuccessful spot start for the big-league club and Max Castillo was recalled to fill Kikuchi's spot on the roster.

Kikuchi (3-5) allowed four runs on two hits, five walks and two hit batters in 2.1 innings, taking the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Kikuchi finished June on a high note with a quality start versus the Rays, but he was right back to poor form Tuesday. This was the third time in his last six starts that he's failed to complete three innings. The 31-year-old southpaw is at a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB through 65 innings in 16 starts overall. Given his inability to pitch deep into games, Kikuchi remains a risky fantasy play heading into a road start versus his former team, the Mariners, this weekend.

Kikuchi (3-4) earned the win Thursday over Tampa Bay, striking out eight in six innings while allowing a run on four hits and a walk.

Kikuchi struck out seven of the first 13 batters he faced. The lone run against him came on Isaac Paredes' fourth-inning solo homer. It was a much-needed quality start for the lefty as he hadn't pitched more than five innings in a game since May 16. He closed out June on a high note, improving his numbers for the month to 7.17 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 21.1 innings across six starts.

Kikuchi (2-4) took the loss to the Brewers on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out five and walking one over two innings.

Kikuchi gave up five runs, two of which were earned, to the Brewers. He threw 43 of 69 pitches for strikes across just two frames. Kikuchi has not reached five innings pitched in a game since May 25, and has only met that mark in five of 14 games this season. The lefty allowed at least two earned runs for the 11th time this season and will take a 5.08 ERA into his next appearance.

Kikuchi allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over four innings in Sunday's win over the Yankees. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Kikuchi coughed up two homers in the short outing, including a two-run blast from Josh Donaldson in the third inning. He failed to complete five innings for the fourth straight start, posting a brutal 9.45 ERA while allowing seven home runs during that span. The 31-year-old owns a 61:34 K:BB and a 4.94 ERA through 13 starts this season. Kikuchi is lined up to start in Milwaukee next week.

Kikuchi (2-3) took the loss Tuesday as the Blue Jays were downed 6-5 by the Orioles, giving up four runs on five hits and four walks over four-plus innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw came out to begin the fifth inning, but after serving up a solo shot to Austin Hays that put the Jays behind for good, Kikuchi got the hook after 68 pitches (41 strikes). He's issued four free passes in back-to-back starts and has failed to last longer than five innings in five straight, posting a brutal 7.23 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB through 18.2 innings over that stretch. Kikuchi had a 3.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP prior to that downturn, however, so it's unlikely Toronto will pull the plug on his rotation spot any time soon.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals, giving up three runs on two hits and four walks while recording only two outs, both via strikeout.

The southpaw simply didn't have it in this one, tossing just 24 of 45 pitches for strikes before getting yanked. Fortunately for Kikuchi, the Blue Jays were able to tie the game briefly in the third inning to get him off the hook for his third loss of the year. He's now failed to last at least five innings in three of his last four starts, and Kikuchi will carry a 4.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 52:28 K:BB through 46.2 innings into his next outing.

Kikuchi (2-2) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays got thumped 9-3 by the Twins, giving up four runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The two teams combined for seven homers in total, and Kikuchi's slight lack of command within the strike zone proved costly. It was a big step back for the southpaw, who served up only one home run in 26.2 innings over the entire month of May. Kikuchi still tossed 48 of 67 pitches for strikes in this outing, and he'll take a 3.91 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 50:24 K:BB through 46 innings into his next start.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Angels, allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts in five innings.

Kikuchi was able to keep Los Angeles off the board until the fifth inning, when he put on four runners and let in two runs. The 30-year-old has now failed to surpass 5.1 innings in seven of his nine starts and Saturday's one-walk performance was only his second start eclipsing that threshold. Kikuchi takes a 3.47 ERA and 1.27 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come next weekend against Minnesota.

Kikuchi allowed two runs on two hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Reds. He struck out seven and did not factor in the decision.

Kikuchi coughed up a ground-rule double to Aristides Aquino in the first inning but managed to retire 10 straight batters shortly after. He needed 86 pitches (49 strikes) to get through 4.1 frames, his shortest start since April 29. The 30-year-old southpaw is now sporting a 3.47 ERA and a 40:22 K:BB through eight starts. Kikuchi is projected to face the Angels on the road next weekend.

Kikuchi (2-1) earned the win Monday after pitching six scoreless innings against the Mariners, giving up one hit and three walks while striking out six.

The 30-year-old was masterful Monday, limiting the Mariners to just four baserunners over six frames while registering his second win and second quality start of the year. Over his last three starts, Kikuchi has posted a 1.56 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 20 punchouts over 17.1 innings. On the season, the left-hander owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while allowing a career-low 5.91 H/9 over 32 innings.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

The southpaw was headed for his second win of the season until Aaron Judge walked it off with a three-run blast off Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kikuchi appears to have turned a corner, posting a 14:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings over his last two starts with a 2.38 ERA and 0.79 WHIP, but Seattle fans know well the roller coaster ride that Kikuchi can provide over a full season.

Kikuchi picked up the win Wednesday after tossing six innings, surrendering one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven against the Yankees.

Kikuchi put together his best outing of the season Wednesday, ultimately ending the Yankees' 11-game win streak. The 30-year-old notched a season-high seven strikeouts on his way to his first quality start and win of the campaign. The only blemish on his line came in the top of the third inning when Joey Gallo took him deep for a solo shot. Kikuchi now owns a 4.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP while registering 20 strikeouts over 20.2 innings.

Kikuchi scrapped his cutter in Friday's start against the Astros, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports. He gave up four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four in 2.2 innings.

Manager Charlie Montoyo confirmed that Kikuchi's command just hasn't been right, but acknowledged that it's a tough for him to make adjustments while facing the same opponent (Houston) in back-to-back starts. At this point it's tough to deploy Kikuchi while he is clearly experimenting with different approaches in hopes of solving his strike-throwing issues. He has walked 13 in 14.2 innings this season.

Kikuchi allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks over 3.2 innings in Sunday's loss to Houston. He struck out four and did not factor in the decision.

Kikuchi faced eight batters in the second inning but escaped after allowing just two runs, including a bases-loaded walk to Alex Bregman. He later coughed up a two-run shot to Michael Brantley in the fourth that bounced him from the game. The 30-year-old lefty saw his ERA climb to 3.75 through 12 innings this season. Kikuchi is expected to get a rematch with the Astros at home next week.

Kikuchi tossed five innings of one-run ball, surrendering three hits while walking three batters and striking out three in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox. He did not factor into the game's decision.

The only blemish on Kikuchi's line came in the bottom of the third inning when Enrique Hernandez scored on a Trevor Story double. Overall, the 30-year-old has a 0-1 record and has allowed three runs while striking out five batters over 8.1 innings this season. Kikuchi will look to get his first win of the 2022 campaign when the Blue Jays take on the Astros in Houston on Sunday.

Kikuchi (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings as the Blue Jays were downed 4-0 by the Yankees. He struck out two.

The southpaw got little help from his offense or defense, but Kikuchi created his own problems, throwing only 49 of 84 pitches for strikes before exiting his Toronto debut. Control issues are nothing new for the 30-year-old since he came to MLB, but he'll look to tighten things up in his next outing, scheduled for Sunday at home against the A's.

Kikuchi will work an intrasquad game Wednesday at the Blue Jays' spring training complex before making his first start of the season Apr. 12 against the Yankees, Laura Armstrong of The Toronto Star reports.

The rest of the team will break camp and head north Tuesday, but Kikuchi will stay behind to get in a bit more work. The southpaw has an 11:4 K:BB through 8.1 innings this spring but has also served up four homers, leading to a bloated 6.48 ERA in Grapefruit League action as he heads into his first season with Toronto.

Kikuchi gave up one run on four hits and a walk over 3.2 innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out five.

Roberto Perez took him deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning, but prior to that Kikuchi was looking sharp. He worked his way up to 71 pitches (44 strikes) and appears just about ready for Opening Day as he gets ready to handle No. 5 starter duties for the Blue Jays, but the southpaw's spring has been a microcosm of his big-league performance to date as Kikuchi has an 11:4 K:BB through 8.1 innings but has also served up four homers.

Kikuchi walked one and struck out four without allowing a hit over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

It was a strong first appearance in a Blue Jays uniform for Kikuchi, who signed with the club earlier this month. The 30-year-old lefty couldn't find consistent success in the majors over three seasons with the Mariners, but if he can stick in the Toronto rotation he could be a source of wins and strikeouts in deeper fantasy leagues, even if his ratios may be erratic.

Kikuchi signed a three-year, $13 million contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Kikuchi declined his $13 million player option with the Mariners in early November, and he'll now land a multi-year deal with Toronto as spring training gets underway. The southpaw has made at least 29 starts in each of the last two full seasons, and he posted a 4.41 ERA, 163:62 K:BB and 1.32 WHIP in 157 innings during the 2021 campaign. He'll have a spot in the back end of the Blue Jays' talented rotation to begin the year.

Kikuchi declined his $13 million player option Wednesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Kikuchi made 29 starts for the Mariners in 2021, and he posted a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 163:62 K:BB in 157 innings. The 30-year-old's decision to turn down his player option comes as a bit of a surprise following his three seasons in Seattle, but he'll hit free agency ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Kikuchi's turn in the rotation is being skipped Tuesday and he may not make another start this season.

Tyler Anderson is starting Tuesday on short rest while top prospect Matt Brash was called up to piggyback Anderson. Logan Gilbert is listed as Wednesday's starter, so all signs point to Kikuchi moving to the bullpen over the final few games of the season. The 30-year-old lefty has a 7.82 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 12.2 innings over his last four starts.

Kikuchi may not take his next turn through the rotation, which is currently projected for Tuesday against the Athletics, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi allowed three earned runs on three hits and four walks across just three innings in his start Thursday against the Athletics. Manager Scott Servais was asked after the game if Kikuchi would make his next start as the team vies for a spot in the wild-card game, though the skipper did not tip his hand regarding the decision. Kikuchi has failed to complete more than three innings in three of his last four starts and allowed 11 earned runs across 12.2 frames in that four-start stretch, which has inflated his ERA to 4.41 on the season.

Kikuchi (7-9) took the loss against Kansas City on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out three over three innings.

The southpaw gave up a pair of runs on four hits in the first inning, and things didn't get much better for him after that. The Royals managed two hits in each of the following two frames, with a pair of doubles in the third accounting for their third run. Kikuchi needed a whopping 86 pitches to get through three innings, leading to his early exit. He has lasted three or fewer innings in three of his past six starts, posting a 7.03 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over that stretch. His next trip to the mound is likely to come in Oakland next week.

Kikuchi allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out eight across five innings in the loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Kikuchi gave up just one extra-base hit in the game that led to his lone run allowed. He did not receive enough run support to be in line for the win. It was a much better start than his previous outing, when he failed to get out of the second inning. The 30-year-old has a 4.23 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 157 strikeouts in 151 innings this season.

Kikuchi (7-8) allowed six runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks and didn't strike anybody out over just 1.2 innings as he took the loss Monday against the Astros.

Monday was certainly a performance to forget for Kikuchi. He issued a walk in the first but didn't face any real trouble. He then walked three straight batters to begin the second frame and the bases eventually cleared after Jake Meyers hit a three-run homer to make it 5-0. The Astros continued to pile on with two more doubles to make it 6-0 before Kikuchi's night was finally over. The southpaw managed to throw just 19 of his 42 pitches for strikes and looked completely lost after blanking the Astros last week. Kikuchi's starts are hard to come by because he's really hit or miss at times. He now has a 4.32 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 149:57 K:BB over 146 innings and is in line for a weekend start against the Diamondbacks.

Kikuchi got a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Houston, allowing four hits and two walks with four strikeouts across seven innings.

Kikuchi was able to manage a formidable Astros lineup all game, with his biggest threats being two on one out situations in the second and fourth innings. The successful start is tied for the first-time All-Star's longest of the season while not permitting any runs and was his first quality start in five turns. He's set to face Houston again early next week.

Kikuchi got a no-decision in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Kansas City, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts in five innings.

Through five innings, Kikuchi faced 16 batters and allowed just two baserunners, but he put the first four Royals on base in the sixth and was removed with only 65 pitches. Reliever Joe Smith entered and served up a Salvador Perez grand slam to leave the 30-year-old with an ugly line for the game. Since representing Seattle in the All-Star Game, Kikuchi has struggled to a 6.46 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in eight second half starts.

Kikuchi (7-7) allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over just 2.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Friday.

Kikuchi was hammered early and often Friday, allowing multiple runs in all three innings he pitched before being pulled. Five of the seven runs he gave up came off three long balls, the first time he's let up more than two homers in an outing this year. The 30-year-old southpaw has had horrible success against the Astros this year. In four games against the division rivals, Kikuchi is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB. Fortunately, he'll have a softer matchup next week against the Royals as he looks to get back on track.

Kikuchi completed 4.1 innings against Toronto on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five. He did not factor in the decision.

The left-hander struggled with his control throughout the contest, tossing only 54 of 97 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with four walks. He managed to keep Seattle competitive, however, and the Mariners crafted a comeback in the late innings to help Kikuchi avoid his seventh loss. The 30-year-old has given up exactly three runs in three of his past five outings, though he entered Saturday's game having yielded just one earned run combined over his previous two starts. He'll carry a 3.82 ERA into his next appearance, which could be a tough matchup at Houston on Friday.

Kikuchi allowed four hits and three walks while striking out six in five scoreless innings in Sunday's win over the Yankees. He didn't factor into the decision.

Kikuchi posted his first scoreless outing in nearly two months during Sunday's start, but he had to settle for a no-decision in the low-scoring contest. The southpaw allowed seven runs in his first start after the All-Star break, but he's settled down since then and has posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 22 innings across his last four appearances. He tentatively lines up to take the mound at home against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Kikuchi allowed four hits and three walks while striking out six in five scoreless innings in Sunday's win over the Yankees. He didn't factor into the decision.

Kikuchi posted his first scoreless outing in nearly two months during Sunday's start, but he had to settle for a no-decision in the low-scoring contest. The southpaw allowed seven runs in his first start after the All-Star break, but he's settled down since then and has posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 22 innings across his last four appearances. He tentatively lines up to take the mound at home against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Kikuchi (7-6) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Rays, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw fired 59 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his 13th quality start of the season and first win in over a month. He kept the Rays off-balance most of the night, and after serving up a leadoff homer to Randy Arozarena in the bottom of the first inning, Kikuchi gave up no further extra-base hits. He'll carry a 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 129:40 K:BB through 120.1 innings into his next outing.

Kikuchi (6-6) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Astros after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks across five innings, striking out seven.

Kikuchi didn't have his best stuff and delivered another subpar outing, as he has now allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last four contests. Even though he has fanned at least seven in three straight contests, the left-hander also owns an inflated 7.71 ERA during that aforementioned four-game stretch.

Kikuchi allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out 12 over six innings Friday against the Athletics. He did not factor into the decision.

Kikuchi delivered an excellent bounce-back game after he was roughed up in his last two starts. He compiled 12 of his 17 whiffs with his changeup and his 12 strikeouts were a career-high mark. The 30-year-old southpaw was hurt by the long ball in this one, surrendering solo homers to Matt Chapman and Mark Olson before the A's tacked on another run in the fifth on an RBI double from Mark Canha. Kikuchi owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 117:36 K:BB over 109.1 innings. He'll be in search of his first win since July 1 next week when he takes on the Astros.

Kikuchi (6-5) allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out seven across five innings, taking the loss to the Angels.

Kikuchi surrendered a home run to Jack Mayfield in the fourth inning and a long ball to Taylor Ward in the fifth. The All-Star has struggled as of late, allowing 12 runs in his last two starts. However, he's managed to maintain a 9.7 K/9 since June 5. The 30-year-old has a 3.92 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 103.1 innings this season. He will look to get back on track in his next start scheduled Friday against the Athletics.

Kikuchi is no longer on the American League's active roster for the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi was officially activated off the COVID-19 IL on Monday, but the left-hander won't pitch in the All-Star Game due to being unable to throw during the previous two days. Kikuchi figures to take the ball at some point over the weekend against the Angels.

The Mariners reinstated Kikuchi from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears the way for Kikuchi to pitch for the American League squad in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Coors Field. Kikuchi earned his spot on the Midsummer Classic after supplying a 3.48 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 98:34 K:BB across 98.1 innings over his first 16 starts of the season. Assuming he's only needed for an inning out of the bullpen Tuesday, Kikuchi could be an option to start in the Mariners' first series of the second half this weekend against the Angels.

Kikuchi was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi recently displayed a symptom of the virus but has already produced one negative test. If he can produce another negative test, he'll be good to attend the All-Star game and thus be with the Mariners for their series in Anaheim next weekend. The lefty enters the break with a 6-4 record and a 3.48 ERA in 98.1 innings.

Kikuchi (6-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, pitching five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five.

The left-hander looked like he could be knocked out of the game early after the Yankees scored three runs in the first inning and another two in the second. However, Kikuchi rebounded to hold New York scoreless over his remaining three frames, but that wasn't enough to offset the early damage and avoid his fourth loss. Despite the rough outing, Kikuchi enjoyed a strong first half of the campaign, posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 98:34 K:BB across 98.1 innings covering 16 starts. His next appearance will likely come in the Mariners' first series following the All-Star break, which will take place on the road against the Angels.

Kikuchi (6-3) earned the win Thursday after holding Toronto to one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six across seven innings.

The left-hander looked sharp once again, collecting his fifth straight win while allowing one or fewer runs in each of his last four starts. Kikuchi's only blemish of the day came via a solo blast off the bat of Marcus Semien in the first inning. Otherwise, the 30-year-old blanked the Blue Jays the rest of the way, tossing 100 pitches overall, including 64 for strikes. On the season, Kikuchi has put together a 3.18 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. He'll look to continue his success during his next tentative start at home Wednesday against the Yankees.

Kikuchi (5-3) allowed a run on two hits and four walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Friday.

While the four walks matched a season high, Kikuchi benefited from Seattle's defense turning two double plays while he was on the mound. The southpaw has won four straight decisions, and he's allowed one or fewer runs in each of his last three outings. He's pitched to a 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 87:30 K:BB across 86.1 innings this year. The 30-year-old lines up to face Toronto next week.

Kikuchi (4-3) earned the win Friday against the Rays after tossing seven innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and three walks while fanning six.

Kikuchi has given up just one earned run over his last two outings (14 innings) and has been pitching lights out of late, going 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA over his last five appearances and posting four quality starts in that stretch. The southpaw is slated to make his next appearance on the road against the White Sox next week.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Saturday against Cleveland despite tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks while fanning six.

Kikuchi was in line to get the win Saturday until Rafael Montero blew the save in the bottom of the ninth, but that shouldn't hide the fact that the left-hander delivered one of his best performances of the season despite the fact he dealt with a knee problem throughout the week. The Japanese hurler has given up two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, and he's scheduled to take the mound next week at home against the Rays.

Kikuchi (knee) is fully expected to make his next scheduled start on Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander has been on the mend since taking a comebacker on his right knee during his start Saturday against the Angels. Kikuchi was officially diagnosed with a bone bruise and inflammation in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but it appears he's continued to make consistent enough progress to allow manager Scott Servais to confirm his pitcher's availability for Saturday's road turn against the Indians.

Manager Scott Servais said Sunday that Kikuch (knee) i is experiencing minimal swelling and feeling better than expected after being hit by a comebacker during his Saturday start, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Kikuchi was forced to leave his start in the fifth inning after a David Fletcher comebacker struck him in the knee, ultimately resulting in a contusion. Servais wasn't able to say whether the southpaw will be able to make his next start, which is currently slated for Saturday in Cleveland.

Kikuchi has been diagnosed with a right knee contusion after being struck by a comebacker and being forced to exit his start against the Angels Saturday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kikuchi was helped off by trainers after a David Fletcher comebacker struck him in the fifth inning. All things considered, a knee contusion is far from the worst-case scenario for the southpaw, as it doesn't seem likely to be an issue that keeps him out for an extended period. He can currently be considered questionable to make his next start, which is scheduled to come next weekend in Cleveland.

Kikuchi was forced to exit his Saturday start after he was struck on the leg by a comebacker off the bat of David Fletcher in the fifth inning, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The severity of the injury isn't known at this point, but given that the southpaw was forced to exit, there is at least the possibility that it could be serious. Kikuchi was tagged for four runs (three earned) on five hits while punching out eight across four-plus innings before exiting.

Kikuchi (3-3) allowed two runs on three hits and walk over 6.2 innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Rangers.

Kikuchi cruised through six shutout innings before coughing up a two-run blast to Joey Gallo in the seventh. Still, it was enough for the 29-year-old to earn his second straight win. He now owns a 3.88 ERA and a 61:20 K:BB through 62.2 innings this season. Kikuchi is projected to face the Angels on the road next weekend.

Kikuchi (back) is listed as the Mariners' projected starter for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Kikuchi's inclusion on the pitching schedule implies that he tossed a between-starts bullpen session without incident after his last outing Monday against the Athletics was cut short when he experienced cramping in his lower back. The southpaw still churned out fifth consecutive quality start, giving him a 2.78 ERA over that stretch. He'll close out the week with a favorable matchup against a Rangers offense that ranks 22nd in the majors entering Sunday with a team wRC+ of 93 versus left-handed pitching.

Kikuchi (back) was able to play catch without issues before Tuesday's game and is expected to make his next start, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander exited Monday's win over the Athletics in the seventh inning due to lower-back cramping, but his ability to throw without issues less than 24 hours later has manager Scott Servais optimistic about the pitcher's chances of making his next start on time. Kikuchi actually began experiencing cramping in his hands early in his start versus Oakland, and the discomfort eventually shifted to his lower back the more he threw.

Kikuchi left Monday's game against the Athletics due to cramping in his lower back, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Manager Scott Servais stated after the game that Kikuchi should be fine going forward, but expect the club to keep a close eye on the lefty leading up to his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up for Saturday against Texas.

Kikuchi allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings Monday against Oakland before exiting with an undisclosed injury, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi was cruising along through six innings, but he appeared to suffer an injury after allowing a leadoff single in the seventh. The team has yet to disclose details of the injury.

The Mariners elected to push Kikuchi off his scheduled start Sunday against the Padres after he felt a little under the weather in recent days, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. He's now lined up to start Monday's game against the Athletics in Oakland.

Justin Dunn will be called upon to start Sunday's game on four days' rest after he completed a 94-pitch outing Tuesday against the Tigers. Kikuchi likely could have taken the hill Sunday if needed, but the Mariners chose to exercise some caution by giving him an extra day to recover from the illness. The southpaw shouldn't face any limitations with his pitch count when he takes the hill Monday, and he'll tentatively line up for two starts during the upcoming week. His second turn would come May 29 or 30 versus the Rangers in Seattle.

Kikuchi (1-3) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks over six innings Monday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the Tigers.

Overall, it was a solid outing for Kikuchi. All three runs he allowed came in the second inning on a pair of homers by Eric Haase and Jonathan Schoop but he allowed just one base runner the rest of the way. It was his fourth straight outing with at least six innings pitched and seven strikeouts. Kikuchi will carry a 4.32 ERA into next week's projected start in Oakland.

Kikuchi hurled 6.1 innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 11.

The southpaw's 11 strikeouts were a career high, and he racked up 17 swinging strikes in the contest. Kikuchi looked to be in line for a win upon entering the seventh frame with a 4-1 lead, but a pair of singles -- one of which didn't leave the infield -- resulted in his removal from the game, and the Dodgers brought home both runners en route to a come-from-behind win. Nonetheless, Kikuchi finished with his third straight quality start, and he has struck out 25 batters across 20.1 frames during that stretch. He'll look to keep building on the hot stretch in his next start, currently projected to come against Cleveland at home Sunday.

Kikuchi, whose next turn in the rotation would have normally come Wednesday, will instead switch places with Justin Dunn and start Tuesday's series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The logic behind the switch is to up the chances of the bullpen getting additional rest after Monday's team off day. Kikuchi has gone seven innings in each of his last two starts, and despite the temporary move up in the rotation, he'll still operate on five days' rest versus Los Angeles.

Kikuchi (1-2) allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across seven innings, taking the loss to the Orioles on Wednesday.

Kikuchi tossed seven strong innings, but was outdone by John Means who threw a complete game no-hitter. Kikuchi struggled in April, but provided 14 innings in his last two starts with just three runs allowed. In those two starts he has 14 strikeouts compared to three walks. The 30-year-old holds a 4.30 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 37.2 innings.

Kikuchi (1-1) earned the win over the Astros on Thursday, allowing just one hit over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven and issued two walks.

The lefty turned in his best outing of the season so far, getting 17 called strikes and 17 swinging strikes on 95 pitches, and was rewarded with his first win of 2021. He did not give up a hit until the seventh inning when Carlos Correa got to Kikuchi for a one-out double. Kikuchi, who now has a 4.40 ERA and 27:11 K:BB through 30.2 innings, projects for a home start against the Orioles next week.

Kikuchi (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Mariners fell 6-5 to the Red Sox, getting tagged for five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out one.

The southpaw served up homers to Xander Bogaerts in the first inning and J.D. Martinez in the third, helping create a deficit that a ninth-inning rally by Seattle's offense couldn't erase. It was Kikuchi's shortest outing so far this season, and he'll take a 5.70 ERA and 20:9 K:BB through 23.2 innings into his next start Thursday in Houston.

Kikuchi hurled seven innings against Houston on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

Kikuchi breezed through his first four frames, allowing only one walk and facing the minimum 12 batters. However, things began to unravel for the left-hander in the fifth, as he yielded three runs on three hits and a walk. Kikuchi then gave up two more runs in the seventh before departing. Overall, the 29-year-old threw 91 pitches and gave up only one extra-base it. He's now gone at least six innings in each of his first three starts, though he has yet to be part of a decision. Kikuchi's next outing will take place at Boston on Friday.

Kikuchi gave up two runs on five hits and two walks during Saturday's extra-inning win over the Twins. He had six strikeouts and did not factor in the decision.

The 29-year-old wasn't able to replicate the 10 strikeouts from his season debut, but he kept Minnesota off the board apart from a two-run homer by Nelson Cruz during the third inning. Kikuchi has allowed five runs on 11 hits with a 16:3 K:BB over 12 innings through his first two starts of 2021, and he next lines up to face the Astros on Friday.

Kikuchi did not factor in the decision against the Giants on Friday, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out 10.

Kikuchi threw 67 of his 89 pitches for strikes and connected on first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 25 batters he faced. The southpaw's strikeout rate jumped from 16.1 percent in his debut campaign to 24.2 percent last season, so Friday's big punchout total bodes well for his continued progression in that area. Kikuchi is next scheduled to take the mound next Saturday at Minnesota.

Manager Scott Servais said Kikuchi would start the Mariners' second game of the season Friday against the Giants, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

James Paxton was initially lined up to follow Opening Day starter Marco Gonzales in the pitching order, but Paxton will instead flip spots with Kikuchi, who had been slated to start the fifth game of the season Tuesday against the White Sox. The change is a welcome one for Kikuchi's fantasy managers, particularly in leagues with separate lineup periods for the first two weeks of the season. Not only will Kikuchi draw a more favorable matchup in swapping out the White Sox for the Giants, but he'll still line up for a Week 2 start. He tentatively lines up to make his second start of the season April 10 in Minnesota.

Kikuchi threw 91 pitches in a sim game Friday afternoon and allowed five hits and three walks while recording seven strikeouts, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Kikuchi has already logged 8.1 innings of Cactus League action across three starts, and Friday's workload pushed him to the brink of regular-season readiness. The southpaw lines up to next take the ball for the Mariners' third game of the regular season against the Giants on Saturday, April 3.

Kikuchi allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League win over the Brewers on Sunday. He struck out six.

Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Kikuchi's velocity ticked as high as 97 mph and he was able to utilize his cutter with more conviction. Kikuchi also stretched out all the way to 66 pitches, and although he's allowed an earned run in each of his first three spring starts, his Cactus League ERA sits at a solid 3.24 while holding opposing hitters to a cumulative .179 average across 8.1 innings.

Kikuchi allowed an earned run on two hits and two walks across three innings in Monday's Cactus League loss to Cleveland, his second start of spring training.

Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Kikuchi needed a mound visit after a rocky start, but he subsequently settled down to induce six straight groundouts at one point. Kikuchi's fastball velocity was also impressive for the second time in as many starts, consistently averaging between 95 and 96 mph and climbing as high as 97. "All my pitches feel great, and I was able to throw my splitter and was even able to throw one to a lefty, (Eddie) Rosario. It felt great," Kikuchi said. "One hung up there and ended up being a home run. Other than that, really good."

Kikuchi, who made several offseason improvements, appeared to back up general manager Jerry Dipoto's recent proclamation that the left-hander is ready for a "breakout" during his first Cactus League start, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. "Everything that he was doing [in 2020] suggested that he should be experiencing more success," Dipoto said. "I don't know that we had a single pitcher that was probably more unlucky than Yusei last year. I know it's been an inconsistent couple of years, albeit one trunca

Kikuchi threw 29 pitches across two innings against an Indians B squad Tuesday and allowed an earned run on a hit and walk while recording three strikeouts. The 29-year-old was able to hit 96 mph with his four-seam fastball and remained at 95 mph for the majority of his outing while also utilizing two of his secondary pitches for strikeouts. Kikuchi's velocity uptick was already evident during a 2020 season in which the gap between his expected 3.51 ERA was actual 5.17 figure was the third largest among 108 qualified pitchers and he reduced his HR/9 from 2019's 2.0 to 0.6.

Kikuchi, the Mariners' projected No. 3 starter, will make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Indians, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander slimmed down approximately 10 pounds during the offseason in an attempt to improve his overall mobility and mechanics on the mound. Kikuchi has a bloated 5.39 ERA through his first 41 major-league starts across two seasons after a successful career in Japan, but the Mariners are encouraged by the year-to-year change his K/9 (9.0, up from 6.5) and HR/9 0.6, down from 2.0) exhibited in 2020.

Kikuchi reported to spring camp having dropped 10 pounds over the offseason, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The 29-year-old southpaw is undoubtedly looking for any edge after generating ERAs over 5.00 in his first two seasons stateside following a successful career in Japan. Kikuchi did have a better season in 2020 than his 5.17 ERA indicates, as he allowed just 41 hits over 47 innings and surrendered just three home runs while averaging a strikeout per frame. He also pitched six full innings in three of his last four trips to the mound, with two of those quality starts. The double-digit weight loss may further help his overall mechanics, although both player and team will undoubtedly monitor matters carefully to ensure it doesn't also lead to a drop in stamina.

Kikuchi took a no-decision during Friday's loss despite blanking the A's across six innings. He allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five.

For the second time this season, Kikuchi shut down the A's, not allowing a run over six innings of work. The southpaw has proven to be an inconsistent starter for the Mariners, though he has certainly displayed flashes of potential. Kikuchi wraps up regular season play with a 2-4 record, 5.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 10 appearances (nine starts).

Kikuchi (2-4) was charged with the loss against the Padres on Friday after surrendering five runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three across four innings.

Kikuchi struggled with command in this one, issuing a season-high six walks. The 29-year-old allowed the first run to score on a wild pitch in the third inning, then fell victim to a three-run blast off the bat of Manny Machado in the fourth. It was Kikuchi's second shortest performance of the season, outlasting only his first start of the year against the Astros when he was lifted after 3.2 innings. The southpaw will carry a 5.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP into a Friday contest at Oakland.

Kikuchi (2-3) was charged with the loss against the Diamondbacks on Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five across six innings.

Kikuchi got off to a rocky first inning, giving up three runs including an RBI triple to Christan Walker and an RBI single to Nick Ahmed. The 29-year-old, who was coming off two straight wins, has only walked one batter across his last 17 innings and sports a 39:11 K:BB ratio to go with a 5.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP overall this season. Kikuchi will look to bounce back in his next scheduled start Wednesday against San Francisco.

Kikuchi (2-2) picked up the win Friday after holding the Rangers to one run on two hits while striking out seven across six innings.

Coming off a seven-day layoff, Kikuchi appeared to be well-rested as he blanked the Rangers until the fifth inning, when he gave up a solo home run to Jose Trevino. That would be the only run of the night for the southpaw, who was facing the Rangers for the first time this season. Kikuchi improves to 2-2 on the year while raising his ERA to 5.29 and WHIP to 1.19. He'll take the mound next for a road matchup at Arizona on Friday.

Kikuchi (1-2) was credited with the victory in the seven-inning second game of a doubleheader against the Padres on Thursday, allowing three earned runs on seven hits over five innings while recording six strikeouts.

Kikuchi finally got in the win column in 2020 just over a month after the start of the regular season, firing a relatively efficient 81 pitches over his five frames. Two of the three runs scored against the southpaw were of the small-ball variety, with the one big hit coming in the form of a first-inning solo home run off the bat of Manny Machado. The outing was Kikuchi's second-best performance of the campaign and came in the wake of the 29-year-old surrendering a combined eight earned runs across 9.2 innings in his prior two starts. Kikuchi will look to carry the momentum into his next start, which is slated to come against the Athletics at home Tuesday.

Kikuchi (0-2) took the loss Thursday as the Mariners fell 6-1 to the Dodgers, giving up five runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw looked good through two innings but got rattled in the third after some frankly horrible umpiring cost him a strikeout, leading to a ground-rule double by Matt Beaty that opened the scoring and kick-started a four-run frame for Los Angeles. Kikuchi now has a 6.30 ERA through four starts and 20 innings with a 21:10 K:BB, but if there's a silver lining to his early-season efforts it's that he has yet to allow a home run. He'll look for his first win in his next outing, on the road against the Padres on Aug. 27.

Manager Scott Servais said after Kikuchi (neck) completed a bullpen session Tuesday that he's "pretty confident' the left-hander will be ready to start Thursday against the Dodgers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Barring a setback in the next 24 hours, Kikuchi will be ready to make his first start since Aug. 7 after neck spasms prevented him from making his last scheduled turn Friday in Houston. Kikuchi has posted a 5.28 ERA through his three outings this season, but a big uptick in velocity from 2019 to go with strong underlying numbers (2.23 FIP, 16.1 K-BB%, 57.5 GB%) could make the southpaw worthy of a pickup if he's sitting on the waiver wire.

Kikuchi (neck) is feeling better and is likely to make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers, the Associated Press reports.

The left-hander was scratched from Friday's start against the Astros due to neck spasms, but after taking muscle relaxers over the weekend, Kikuchi is apparently firmly on the road to recovery. Nestor Cortes stepped in as the emergency starter in the 29-year-old's stead Friday and yielded eight runs (seven earned) on five hits over one-third of an inning, so manager Scott Servais will undoubtedly be glad to see Kikuchi back in the rotation.

Kikuchi, who was scratched from his scheduled start Friday against the Astros due to neck spasms, was still dealing with stiffness Saturday and taking muscle relaxers for relief, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Manager Scott Servais added that Kikuchi was going to try and play catch later in the day to see how he felt. The team is holding out hope the southpaw will still make his next scheduled start Thursday against the Dodgers, but the coming days will naturally reveal how likely that is.

Kikuchi was scratched from his scheduled start Friday with neck spasms, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi was scratched with approximately half an hour remaining until the first pitch, and Nestor Cortes will step in as an emergency starter against the Astros. The severity of the issue is unclear, and whether Kikuchi misses any additional time remains to be seen.

Kikuchi (0-1) was charged with the loss against the Rockies on Friday, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk with three strikeouts across 5.2 innings.

After issuing a lead-off walk to start the game, Kikuchi focused his command and refrained from handing out any more free passes. The 29-year-old surrendered a pair of runs in the third inning and another two in the sixth, scattering six hits, only two of which went for extra bases (both doubles). In fact, his ability to produce weak contact means he has yet to allow any home runs so far this season. The southpaw will look to improve upon a 5.28 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in Houston on Friday.

Kikuchi allowed three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings in a no-decision against the A's on Saturday. He struck out nine.

This was a big improvement on Kikuchi's first start (five runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 3.2 innings in Houston). He induced 20 swinging strikes on 89 pitches and fell just one strikeout short of tying his career high. Kikuchi had some buzz back in spring training due to the increased velocity he was showing and indeed his fastball is up several ticks. The lefty is still probably best viewed as a streamer, but he could separate himself from the pack with a few more starts like this. Kikuchi gets the Rockies at home next week.

Kikuchi allowed five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Sunday's win against the Astros. He didn't factor into the decision.

Kikuchi impressed in his final intrasquad start Monday, but he struggled to contain the Astros early in his first start of the regular season. However, he finished with a no-decision after the Mariners put together a late-game rally to secure the team's first win of the season. The southpaw will attempt to improve at home against the Athletics on Saturday.

Kikuchi, who'll start the Mariners' third game of the regular season against the Astros on Sunday, was impressive over four innings in Monday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi cruised early, firing three scoreless innings before the opposing squad of teammates got to him for two singles and a walk. The southpaw ultimately allowed two of those runners to score with a throwing error, but manager Scott Servais was pleased to see Kikuchi's fastball reaching 96 mph and his offspeed pitches also showing improvement over the 55-pitch outing. "I thought he threw the ball pretty well. His stuff was really good and the velocity was up there," Servais said. "Hopefully he can build on that. All the guys so far -- Marco [Gonzales], Taijuan [Walker] and Yusei should be good to go. If things go well, I hope to get them through five innings their first time out."

Kikuchi allowed four runs on four hits and four walks over 2.1 innings in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

It was Kikuchi's first appearance in a game situation since spring training, so the rusty outing is understandable to a significant degree. The left-hander threw regularly during the shutdown and had been pleased with the quality of his bullpen sessions since summer camp started, but he noted through his interpreter after Tuesday's appearance that his balance and mechanics been thrown off somewhat by elements such as baserunners and signs. Kikuchi did hit 95 mph regularly with his fastball, however, and he reported that both his stamina and arm were feeling good throughout his time on the mound. The 29-year-old lines up for one more intrasquad start before taking the hill in the Mariners' second regular-season game, which is scheduled for July 25 in Houston.

Kikuchi was impressive while facing live batters for the first time in summer camp Wednesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi was recently labeled by manager Scott Servais as a candidate for the pitcher most prepared to endure a heavy workload as summer camp began, and he helped validate his boss's faith Wednesday. The left-hander reportedly elevated his fastball up to 95 mph once he warmed up, ringing up some swings and misses against multiple teammates in the process. Kikuchi also confirmed he's slated to pitch in his first intrasquad game Tuesday.

Kikuchi, who maintained a heavy throwing workload during the three-month-plus shutdown, appeared to be the best-conditioned pitcher during the first day of summer camp Friday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "He looked just like he did when he left spring training," said manager Scott Servais, who watched a bullpen earlier this week. "He's probably a little further ahead. The volume of throwing he does is probably a little bit more than other guys."

The 29-year-old Japanese import came into spring training with plenty to prove after a rough first season stateside, and he appeared to be on solid footing when spring training was suspended. Kikuchi's work ethic during the time off may allow him to be an exception to the general rule Servais is likely to have for his pitchers to open the regular season, namely, a workload of approximately four innings or 70 pitches in at least each of their first turns in the rotation.

General manager Jerry Dipoto notes Kikuchi's stamina should already be relatively high entering summer camp due to the throwing sessions he's been putting in over the last month, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

In reviewing the status of the team's projected starters ahead of the start of summer camp July 1, Dipoto assessed that Kikuchi and Justin Dunn may sport two of the most conditioned arms in the rotation at this point, considering they've worked out regularly at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona and have been throwing "full tilt" against live hitters while building up to as much as 60 pitches. That level of activity bodes well for Kikuchi's chances of handling a fairly hefty workload right from the start of the shortened season, although Dipoto notes Seattle is expected to utilize a six-man rotation and have one starter "piggyback" another in early-season games.

Kikuchi, who has remained in the Arizona area while spring training has been suspended, should be one of the players that begins participating in informal workouts at the team's Peoria facility this week, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

With MLB teams now allowed to grant restricted access to their spring training or home facilities in accordance with local guidelines. the Mariners will begin hosting staggered groups of players for informal workouts early this week. Given his proximity to the Peoria complex, Kikuchi is fully expected to be one of those participating moving forward. The southpaw, readying for his second season stateside after an impressive career in Japan, was thought to be making impressive progress with both his velocity and command before Cactus League play was paused. Having access to certain amenities and equipment at the spring facility should allow Kikuchi to start getting back on track after having to work out in more limited fashion in recent weeks.

Kikuchi demonstrated improved velocity and better command overall during Cactus League play before spring training was suspended, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The southpaw worked on tweaking his delivery this offseason after an uneven first season stateside, and those changes appeared to already be paying dividends this spring. Kikuchi made three Cactus League starts, posting a 4.05 ERA over 6.2 innings while recording an impressive 10 strikeouts. Kikuchi also hit between 94 mph and 96 mph with his fastball and was in the 90-mph-91-mph range with his slider. Drayer also notes Kikuchi was generating an increased spin rate in camp and more frequently challenging hitters high with his fastball, both potential harbingers of a more effective and confident pitcher in 2020.

Kikuchi continued to successfully incorporate a changeup during a four-inning simulated game Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi struck out half of the 14 batters he faced during the outing and elevated his fastball more in the zone, something he's been focused on doing more consistently this offseason and spring. The development of the changeup has also been a priority for the right-hander, which would be a fourth pitch to go along with his four-seam fastball, curveball and the mid-to-high 80s slider he most frequently used as his "out" pitch last season. Kikuchi's focus on refining the change, which he threw only 7.6 percent of the time last season, is starting pay dividends. "It's getting better," said Austin Nola, who caught Kikuchi on Tuesday. "We're going to use it and keep trying it. I think it's a good feel pitch for him. Something that he can get his feel for and get his extension out front."

Kikuchi threw three scoreless innings Thursday against the Padres, giving up no hits while walking two and striking out five. His velocity was up to 96 mph in his final frame, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com.

He started the game in the 92-94 mph range with his fastball before it started humming at 96. Last year he averaged just north of 93 mph on his fourseam fastball in March, April and May before it ticked down to 92 mph in the final four months of the season. When he was dominating in Japan, his fastball was a mid-90s pitch, so if he can start to sit in that range again, Kikuchi could be in for a post-hype breakout. He has given up three earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out 10 over 6.2 innings in three spring outings.

Kikuchi was happy with his fastball after his first spring start, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Kikuchi worked on mechanical adjustments in the offseason and relayed that the changes have felt natural. He also believes he will be able to reach his peak velocity more consistently during the season. Kikuchi closed his first outing of the spring after 1.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out two batters.

Kikuchi, who endured an uneven first season stateside in 2019, worked on his mechanics throughout the offseason, Jesse Borek of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw generated a solid 3.43 ERA through his first 11 starts last season before running into more frequent difficulties that helped lead to a 5.46 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 6-11 mark across 32 starts. Kikuchi went right to work as soon as the season ended, focusing on everything from hand placement to the timing of his entire delivery. Kikuchi will work closely with new pitching coach Pete Woodworth throughout the spring, and one of the goals both the team and Kikuchi have is to see a bump in the average velocity of his four-seam fastball, which checked in at a modest 92.5 mph average in 2019.