Yusei Kikuchi

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has been praised by Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins.

Fantasy Impact

Atkins explained to the media on Thursday that Kikuchi's track record has the club believing in him entering the 2023 season. The 2022 season was a roller coaster for the left-hander who ended up with a 5.19 ERA and 12.8% BB% across 20 starts and 12 relief outings. On the surface, the track record isn't all too impressive as the 31-year-old owns a career 5.02 ERA and 1.72 HR/9 across 466 1/3 big-league frames. Nonetheless, it appears the Blue Jays will give Kikuchi an opportunity to bounce back in the 2023 campaign.

Yusei Kikuchi pitched three innings, allowing one hit, and one walk Friday. He struck out five Boston batters to tally his first save of the season.

Fantasy Impact

Kikuchi had his best outing as a reliever Friday. The 31-year-old has a 5.27 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, .246 BAA, and a 11.09 K/9 ratio. The veteran should be left on the waiver wire.

Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is shifting from the rotation to the bullpen, manager John Schneider confirmed to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Mitch White will replace Kikuchi in the rotation.

Fantasy Impact

Kikuchi has struggled in his first season with Toronto, going 4-7 with a 6.00 xERA, 1.52 WHIP, and .241 OBA through 20 starts. The southpaw also owns 9.95 K/9, 5.36 BB/9, and 2.08 HR/9 thus far.

Yusei Kikuchi pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three during Toronto's loss to Baltimore on Monday.

Fantasy Impact

Kikuchi continued his pedestrian play, allowing six runs to cross home plate before being pulled in the fourth inning. He allowed three walks for the second straight game and has allowed three or more walks in three of his last five starts. He simply can't be trusted in any mixed leagues at this point as he has a 4-7 record with a 5.25 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 91 strikeouts over 20 starts. He'll next take the mound in a matchup against the Yankees on Saturday.

Yusei Kikuchi pitched five innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four during Toronto's loss to Baltimore on Monday.

Fantasy Impact

Kikuchi was hammered hard in this game, first allowing a three-run shot to Ramón Urías in the first inning, then allowing back-to-back home runs to Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle in the third inning. He also issued three free passes and only induced six swinging strikes over 84 pitches. On the season Kikuchi now has a disappointing 4-6 record with a 5.13 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with an 88:46 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 79 innings pitched. He'll next take the mound in a matchup against Guardians on Sunday.