HOUSTON — The Astros have reached a deal with the Blue Jays to acquire 33-year-old Japanese left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, giving them the veteran starting pitcher they desperately need, MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand has heard from sources. The Astros paid big money for Kikuchi and sent pitcher Jake Bross (prospect pick No. 9), infielder Will Wagner (prospect pick No. 13) and outfielder Joey Loperfido to Toronto.
The team has not acknowledged the deal.
Transaction Details
Houston is: Left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi
Toronto is: RHP Jake Bross (No. 9), INF Will Wagner (No. 13), OF Joey Loperfido
Kikuchi hasn’t been in great form this season, but he’s struck out a lot of batters (130 in 115 2/3 innings) and walked few batters (30), making him an appealing combination heading into the late innings. Kikuchi is due to make about $3.3 million for the remainder of the season before he becomes a free agent.
Bross was scheduled to make his fourth career start on Monday against Pirates rookie Paul Skenes but was removed before his first appearance. Loperfido batted .236 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in his debut earlier this year, but led the minor leagues in homers with 13 when he was first promoted in late April.
Wagner, the son of former Astros closer Billy Wagner, appeared in 70 games at Triple-A, batting .307/.424/.429 with 55 walks and 33 strikeouts.
Kikuchi’s arrival will fill holes in the Astros’ starting rotation, which has been ravaged by injuries. Justin Verlander, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr. are on the disabled list, with Javier, Urquidy and likely McCullers out for the season. JP France, who was in the starting rotation this year, was injured in Triple-A and underwent season-ending surgery.
Verlander and Garcia are scheduled to face hitters on Tuesday in Houston and could return as soon as next month.
The Astros switched to a six-man rotation to ease the burden on Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti, who are approaching career highs in innings pitched. Arrighetti has a 3.91 ERA over his past four starts, including three consecutive six-inning outings.
When Kikuchi signed a three-year, $36 million contract with Toronto, the immediate results weren’t great, as he posted a 5.19 ERA and struggled with control and confidence throughout the 2022 season, ultimately losing his spot in the rotation. But after signing in mid-March, a slow start in camp certainly played a factor, and Kikuchi bounced back with a stellar season in 2023, posting a career-best 3.86 ERA over a career-high 167 2/3 innings.
A 4.54 ERA doesn’t always indicate that confidence, but Kikuchi has carried that confidence into his walk year. It’s not just on the field, but in the clubhouse and around the stadium. He’s a talented athlete who makes the most of his small frame and regularly reaches 97 mph with his left hand. He’s had even more success cutting down on walks this season, and while that does come with some risk given Kikuchi’s inexperience, he’s a great upside player heading into the final stretch.
