Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is heading to Houston. Kikuchi (16) throws to a Detroit Tigers batter in first inning American League baseball action in Toronto on Saturday, July 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker
TORONTO – Yusei Kikuchi is headed for Houston.
According to several reports Monday night, the Toronto Blue Jays are sending the 33-year-old left-handed pitcher to the Astros in return for a package that includes Houston’s 23-year-old rookie right-hander Jake Bloss.
The deal was not confirmed by the club as the team played its second game of a doubleheader in Baltimore against the Orioles. During the first game – an 11-5 Orioles victory – the Jays dealt veteran infielder/D-H Josh Turner to the Seattle Mariners for outfield prospect R-J Schreck.
Bloss has already made three starts for the Astros, striking out 11 in almost 12 innings of work, while allowing nine runs on 16 hits and three walks.
Kikuchi, like a lot of his teammates, wasn’t having a stellar season. He’s registered a 4.75 ERA with 130 strikeouts over 115 2/3 innings and only 30 walks. Kikuchi is in the final year of a three-year, $36 million pact he signed with the Blue Jays in 2022. He started a league-leading 22 games this season.
The addition of Kikuchi fills a void in the Astros’ rotation that has been decimated by injuries.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.
