Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington named left-hander Yusei Kikuchi as the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Chicago White Sox. Washington said it was an "obvious" decision. The Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal this offseason after the Japanese lefty went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with a career-high 206 strikeouts and 44 walks in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. The 33-year-old had career-bests in strikeout rate (28%) and walk rate (6.0%), and his FIP and 3.20 xFIP show that his ERA probably should have been under 4.00. His first start with the Halos in 2025 will be a great one for DFS purposes, but fantasy managers in redraft formats may want to expect a little regression in his age-34 campaign. RotoBaller has Kikuchi ranked as the No. 48 fantasy starting pitcher.

Free-agent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels continue to be the most aggressive team early in free agency this offseason. Kikuchi gives the Halos a much-needed addition to their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and 206:44 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024. He was much better down the stretch in Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. The Japanese hurler had a career-best 31.8% strikeout rate and career-low 5.9% walk rate to help his cause and will look to continue that success in 2025 in his new digs in southern California.

Houston Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi said he was told "a few days ago" that he may be used in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park in a relief role. Kikuchi will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday, but he would start a deciding Game 3 on Thursday if it happens and he's not used in relief on Wednesday. The Astros aren't going to hold anything back on Wednesday to try and avoid elimination after losing Game 1 on Tuesday, so it's not a guarantee that the 33-year-old southpaw starts on Thursday. The Astros would be wise to use Kikuchi on Wednesday if the game is close, as he was great in 10 starts after joining Houston in a trade from Toronto, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 76 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 60 innings pitched down the stretch.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi pitched a solid game against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, allowing just one run over six innings. Kikuchi struck out nine and walked just one while allowing five hits. The lefty has been one of the best trade deadline acquisitions in baseball, as the Astros have gone 9-0 in games he has started since they got him from the Blue Jays. The lefty lines up for one final regular-season start against the Seattle Mariners, and he should be started across the board in fantasy. Consider him a solid fourth starter in fantasy heading into next season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi twirled a gem in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Royals, going seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits and no walks while striking out 12. The 33-year-old improved to 3-0 with the Astros over six starts, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 26.6% K-BB% since he was acquired. The season-long numbers don't look nearly as good, with a 4.24 ERA (3.47 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, and a 21.5% K-BB%. The southpaw's next start lines up with the Arizona Diamondbacks next weekend at home.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi continued to showcase his strikeout potential in Monday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox. Kikuchi pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with seven strikeouts. The 33-year-old is now 6-9 on the season with a 4.37 ERA, a 10.50 K/9 rate, and a 2.41 BB/9 rate in 26 starts and 138 IP. He has looked much better in his four starts since joining the Astros, compiling a 2.42 ERA with 31 strikeouts. He has yet to pitch six innings, but fantasy managers have to be encouraged by his recent performance with his new team. Kikuchi will face a tough matchup in his next start at his ex-division Orioles. Fantasy managers may consider sitting Kikuchi despite his recent success.

The Houston Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to sources. As of right now, it's unclear what the Astros have sent Toronto in return. Regardless of what the Astros gave up, the addition of Kikuchi is big for what has been an injury-depleted Houston rotation all year long. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw hasn't been all that great for fantasy managers in 2024, as he heads to Houston with a 4.75 ERA (3.64 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 130 strikeouts and only 30 walks in 115 2/3 innings over his 22 starts. He's gone 4-9 in the record department. Kikuchi has been even worse recently, but fantasy managers and the Astros will be hoping that a change of scenery and a move to a contending club can help him turn things around to close out the year.

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi was dialed in on the road on Tuesday night in San Francisco against the hosting Giants, but he came away with a no-decision despite giving up only two earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out a career-high 13 batters. In fact, this was the first time all year that Kikuchi tallied double-digit strikeouts. The 33-year-old southpaw's only blemishes were solo shots given up to Heliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald. Kikuchi has allowed two runs in each of his last two outings but still has a bloated 6.38 ERA (5.09 FIP) in 24 innings over his last five starts since June 17. He could into the All-Star break on a nice little run, though, as he matchups up next against the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. Kikuchi is 4-8 overall this year with a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a 111:23 K:BB in 101 1/3 frames (19 starts).

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is getting the start on Wednesday in Baltimore against the Orioles. Right-hander Chris Bassitt was scheduled to start Tuesday's contest before it was postponed, and rather than just pushing Bassitt back a day, the Jays have elected to let Kikuchi take his turn in the rotation on normal rest. The 32-year-old Japanese left-hander has had a solid year to this point for Toronto, going 2-3 with a 2.64 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with nine walks and 46 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings over his eight starts. He's allowed more than three runs in an outing just once in his eight starts and went a season-high eight innings while giving up just two runs his last time out in a tough-luck loss against the Twins last Friday. Kikuchi has been a must-start in fantasy lineups in 2024, but he's up against a tough matchup in the O's on Wednesday on the road.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi had a very strong outing on Friday night but picked up the loss as the Blue Jays fell to the Minnesota Twins 3-2. Kikuchi threw eight innings and gave up just two earned runs while striking out three. Kikuchi has been the Blue Jays' best pitcher this season, now having a 2.64 ERA. Kikuchi has shown significant improvement year-over-year by slightly reducing his BB% and has greatly reduced his HR/9 rate also. Fantasy managers should snag Kikuchi off the waiver wire if available. The lefty will look to continue his dominant season next Wednesday in a tough matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi continued his excellent start to the season in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees. Kikuchi pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. Everything is finally clicking for the 32-year-old, who is now 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 12.05 K/9 rate in his first four starts and 21 2/3 IP. He will look to keep things going in his next projected start at the Royals.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi pitched well on Wednesday but did not factor into the decision as the Jays were unable to provide run support in the 6-1 loss to the Mariners. Kikuchi allowed just one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine batters. The game would ultimately be decided in the tenth inning after the Mariners put up five runs in the top half of the frame. After allowing three earned runs in his first start of the season, the southpaw has given up just one earned run, seven hits, and has a 4:16 BB:K over his last two starts (11 1/3 IP). For the season the 32-year-old has a 2.30 ERA (2.83 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP. His next start lines up with the Yankees next Tuesday in Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi aims to put his awful spring training further in the rear-view mirror during Wednesday's home start versus the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert. Kikuchi coughed up 14 runs in 7 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League play, but he's turned things around for a 2.79 ERA (3.80 FIP) and 11 strikeouts through his first 9 2/3 regular-season frames. He hurled 5 1/3 scoreless innings with seven punchouts to help the Jays shut out the division-rival New York Yankees last Friday, and the 32-year-old Japanese left-hander now gets a Seattle team that he's thrown 11 1/3 scoreless frames with 14 K's against since 2022. The M's are the only American League club Kikuchi has not allowed a run to in his career, making the southpaw a convincing fantasy play on Wednesday. Gilbert, on the other hand, is 0-2 with a 6.95 ERA in 22 career innings against Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (neck) is listed as the team's probable starter on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Kikuchi left his last start early on Tuesday against the New York Yankees with a left upper trapezius cramp, but the 32-year-old southpaw later expressed confidence that he could make his next turn through the starting rotation. Toronto needs all hands on deck as they try to lock down one of the last wild-card spots in the American League down the stretch with under 10 regular season games remaining. The Japanese hurler has been solid for the Jays in 2023 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings over 30 starts, and he's been even better in the second half with a 3.03 ERA (2.80 FIP) and 74 K's in 65 1/3 frames over 12 starts.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (cramp) said Tuesday that he thinks he will be ready to make his next start after leaving the 7-1 win over the Yankees early with cramping, per The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath. Despite leaving with a left upper trap muscle cramp, Kikuchi was able to secure his 10th win by allowing just one run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over five innings. Things have finally clicked for the 32-year-old this season, as he has a 3.74 ERA and 9.64 K/9 rate in 30 starts. His next start would be a tough one at the Rays, but he has shown enough this season to give fantasy managers some reassurance.

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi was removed from his start early on Tuesday against the New York Yankees in the Bronx with a left upper trap muscle cramp, according to the team. It was still a positive outing for Kikuchi, as he was able to pick up his 10th win of the season by allowing just one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out seven in five innings to lower his season ERA to 3.74. It doesn't sound like a serious issue for the 32-year-old veteran southpaw, but his next scheduled start on Sunday in Tampa Against the Rays should be considered up in the air right now. Kikuchi came into his start on Tuesday with a 9-6 record, 3.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings over 29 starts. He'll be extra risky if he makes his start this weekend in a tough matchup, but you can't argue with his strikeout upside.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is getting the ball to begin a crucial series for the ball club Tuesday night in New York against the Yankees. While the Yankees are out of playoff contention, the Blue Jays are in a three-way dogfight for the final two Wild Card spots in the American League along with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. The left-hander has enjoyed a career year in 2023, pitching to a 3.81 ERA across 29 starts. He also sports a 4.29 FIP, 3.94 SIERA, and a solid 18.4% K-BB% in his 153 2/3 innings of work on the season. Kikuchi will be in search of a bounce-back effort on Tuesday as he was touched up for six earned runs across just five innings of work his last time out against the Rangers, although he allowed just one earned run across six innings in his lone start against the Yankees this season.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi put forth another strong effort in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Phillies. Kikuchi pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. The 32-year-old has quietly put together a solid campaign, going 9-4 with a 3.44 ERA and a 9.26 K/9 rate in 24 starts. His next start will be a tougher matchup at the Orioles, but he has performed well enough that fantasy managers may consider starting him depending on their situation.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is getting the starting nod Wednesday night versus the rival Baltimore Orioles. The 32-year-old has enjoyed his best season in the big leagues to this point, working to a 3.79 ERA across 21 starts but it's his control that has been his biggest improvement with a 7.2% BB% that is well below the 12.8% mark he posted in the 2022 season. The southpaw has been particularly strong over his last three starts, pitching 16 innings of three-run ball with 20 strikeouts to his credit in that time. He will take on an Orioles offense that is tied for ninth with a .332 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season.