Player News

• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Implementing sweeper into arsenal

  7D ago • By RotoWire

  Kikuchi has added a sweeper to his pitch mix, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. Kikuchi has worked with a four-pitch arsenal over the past two campaigns, but it appears he'll have another offering to attack hitters with this season. Bollinger notes that the lefty's new sweeper averages 81 mph with 16 inches of break, so it should give him a much different look than when he uses his traditional slider, which averages 87 mph with two inches of break. Kikuchi excelled in his second start of the spring Friday against the Royals, allowing one run on five hits while issuing three walks and striking out eight batters over 4.1 innings. He indicated that he'll take the mound one more time before the regular season kicks off, but the appearance will be either in a minor-league game or in a simulated setting. Kikuchi has been announced as the Angels' starter on Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Rebounds after rough inning Friday

  20D ago • By RotoWire

  Kikuchi pitched 2.2 innings in a Cactus League game against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Kikuchi began his outing by giving up a home run to Shohei Ohtani, and then served up two straight singles that led to another run via a sacrifice fly. The veteran lefty was lifted with two outs and two runners on base in the first frame, but under spring training rules he was allowed to re-enter the contest in the second. Kikuchi looked good after that return, retiring the final six batters he faced. Despite the uneven outing, Kikuchi is penciled in to start for the Angels on Opening Day against the White Sox.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Named Opening Day starter

  29D ago • By RotoWire

  Angels manager Ron Washington named Kikuchi the team's Opening Day starter for their March 27 matchup against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. The skipper referred to the decision as "obvious" after Kikuchi was handed a three-year, $63 million contract over the offseason. With the lowly White Sox on the docket for the opener, Kikuchi will have a great chance to make a positive first impression with his new club.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Three-year, $63M deal with Angels

  11/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  The Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The Angels have been aggressive early in the offseason, adding around $100 million in payroll via signings and trades. Kikuchi is their biggest get so far and adds some much-needed rotation help. The southpaw collected a 4.05 ERA and 206:44 K:BB over 175.2 innings between the Blue Jays and Astros in 2024. He was particularly good down the stretch after landing in Houston at the trade deadline with a 2.70 ERA and 76:14 K:BB across 60 frames.

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• Astros' Yusei Kikuchi: In line for Game 3 start

  10/02/2024 • By RotoWire

  Kikuchi is slated to start Thursday in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Tigers, assuming he's not needed in relief in Game 2 on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Kikuchi has been told to be ready in relief for Game 2 with the Astros having all hands on deck as they try to avoid elimination. If Houston wins and doesn't have to use Kikuchi on Wednesday, he'll take the ball Thursday. The left-hander was outstanding after being acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline, putting up a 2.70 ERA and 76:14 K:BB over 60 innings.

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