Fantasy News

• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Produces quality start

  Rotowire Apr 22, 2024

  Kikuchi (2-1) yielded two runs on five hits over six innings Monday, striking out four and earning a win over the Royals. Kikuchi cruised through five shutout frames before serving up a two-run shot to Maikel Garcia in the sixth inning. Kikuchi has now turned in three straight quality starts and has not allowed more than three runs in any outing this season. After a career year in 2023, the veteran southpaw has registered a terrific 2.28 ERA and 33:8 K:BB through five starts in 2024. Kikuchi is in line for a tough home matchup with the Dodgers this weekend.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Sharp in Tuesday's win

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Kikuchi (1-1) picked up the win Tuesday in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out nine. The left-hander struck out Anthony Volpe, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Kikuchi fired 62 of 94 strikes as he recorded his second straight quality start, and he fanned nine in each of those outings. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB through 21.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come early next week in Kansas City.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Strikes out nine Wednesday

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine. After struggling in his first outing this year, Kikuchi's held opponents to just one run over 11.1 innings while striking out 16 in his subsequent two starts. However, the southpaw was stuck with another no-decision Wednesday, as the Blue Jays couldn't crack Logan Gilbert in an eventual extra-innings loss. Overall, Kikuchi is 0-1 with a 2.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through his first 15.3 innings. He'll look for his first win in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for early next week on the road against the Yankees.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Impresses against Yankees

  Rotowire Apr 5, 2024

  Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Friday versus the Yankees, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.1 scoreless innings. It was a strong bounce-back effort from Kikuchi, who allowed three runs over 4.1 innings in his first start of the year. The left-hander is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign in which he went 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 181:48 K:BB in 32 starts. He's currently slated to face the Mariners at home in his next outing.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Allows three runs in loss

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Kikuchi (0-1) took the loss to the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings. One of the three runs charged to Kikuchi crossed the plate after he exited the game, but it was a middling performance, which doesn't inspire much confidence with a trip to New York to face the Yankees coming up this week. Kikuchi gave up a homer to Randy Arozarena and then a single to Isaac Paredes to get the hook with just one out in the fifth inning. The left-hander took a big step forward last season with a career-best 3.86 ERA and there should be plenty of better days ahead in 2024, but there will also likely be more days like Saturday where he just doesn't have his good stuff.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Roughed up Sunday

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2024

  Kikuchi gave up six runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a split-squad game against the Orioles on Sunday. He struck out five. The southpaw tossed 38 of 60 pitches for strikes and settled down after a shaky first inning that saw him serve up a solo shot to Anthony Santander and a grand slam to Jackson Holliday. Kikuchi has an 8:2 K:BB through 4.1 spring frames, numbers that are more reassuring to potential fantasy investors than his 12.46 ERA in Grapefruit League play, and one bad outing in the spring isn't a major cause for concern.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Sharp beginning to spring

  Rotowire Feb 27, 2024

  Kikuchi gave up one hit and struck out three batters over two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. The southpaw tossed 19 of 30 pitches for strikes. Kikuchi is coming off his best MLB season to date, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 181:48 K:BB through 167.2 innings in 2023, but per Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, he's looking to take another step forward by ditching his splitter for a circle change, a pitch that should have more separation from his mid-90s fastball. "His delivery was awesome, stuff was really good, too," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after Monday's game. "Changeup's going to be a big pitch for him - especially against those righties. I thought everything that he set out to do today, he did. Fastball command was there, slider was sharp - really, really good first outing for him."

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Cruises to 11th win

  Rotowire Sep 30, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Goes four innings vs. Tampa

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Lined up for Sunday

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Removed due to cramp

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2023

  Kikuchi was removed from Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Yankees with a left upper trap muscle cramp, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Kikuchi (10-6) was able to pick up the win after striking out seven through five innings of one-run ball before the cramp forced him out of the game. The southpaw's status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday in Tampa Bay -- remains up in the air, and he should be considered day-to-day until more details are provided.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Sharp in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 9, 2023

  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 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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Takes fifth loss

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Goes 4.2 innings in no-decision

  Rotowire Aug 23, 2023

  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 marks the first time Kikuchi 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 tentatively lined up for a home matchup with the Guardians this weekend.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Fourth straight quality start

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Takes tough-luck loss

  Rotowire Aug 8, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Sharp in ninth win

  Rotowire Aug 3, 2023

  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, 1.23 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 22 innings since the All-Star break, and his current form should allow him to retain 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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Fans eight in eighth win

  Rotowire Jul 27, 2023

  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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Strong start goes to waste

  Rotowire Jul 22, 2023

  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 July starts, 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.

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• Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Lacks command in brief start

  Rotowire Jul 17, 2023

  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.

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