Yusei Kikuchi

Fantasy News

• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Settles for no-decision Friday

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2026

  Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros, giving up two runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out three. The Angels grabbed a 4-1 lead in the top of the second inning and never trailed the rest of the way, but Kikuchi couldn't last long enough to qualify for the win, getting lifted after 86 pitches (53 strikes) after Yordan Alvarez led off the Houston half of the fifth with a solo homer, following by a one-out Jose Altuve single. Kikuchi has become a reliable innings-eater over the last few years, making at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons split between the Blue Jays, Astros and Halos with a 3.97 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9, so better days should be ahead for the left-hander. Kikuchi is set to make his next start on the road next week against the Cubs.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Starting Game 2 with no limitations

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2026

  Kikuchi is slated to start the Angels' second game of the regular season -- which will take place Friday, March 27 in Houston -- and is expected to be "full-go" for that outing, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. Kikuchi spent much of his time this spring with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, but he had a small workload, tossing just four innings across two appearances and giving up three runs on seven hits with a 5:0 K:BB. The southpaw recently returned to the Angels and started against the Royals on Thursday, tossing 4.2 innings during which he allowed one run on two hits and three walks while fanning two batters. Kikuchi worked up to just 64 pitches in the start, but even with Opening Day just a week away, it sounds like the club feels that Kikuchi will be able to handle a full workload right away.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: No limitations in camp

  Rotowire Feb 11, 2026

  Kikuchi (forearm) faced live hitters Wednesday in his first throwing session of spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. Kikuchi exited his final start of 2025 on Sept. 24 due to what the Angels called a left forearm cramp. The veteran southpaw looks to have had a normal offseason and appears to be ahead of most of the rest of the pitching staff, as Kikuchi is set to leave the team in the coming days to join Team Japan ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Per Bollinger, first-year manager Kurt Suzuki said Tuesday that Kikuchi is one of three pitchers locked into rotation spots, and the 34-year-old could get the nod for Opening Day versus the Astros.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Exits with trainer

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2025

  Kikuchi was removed from Wednesday's game against the Royals due to a left forearm cramp. Kikuchi made it through five innings of one-run ball and struck out six batters before leaving the game alongside one of the Angels' trainers. Regardless of the severity of his injury, Wednesday will be the final start that Kikuchi makes in 2025, and he'll conclude the season with a 3.99 ERA and 1.42 WHIP alongside a 174:74 K:BB over 178.1 innings spanning 33 starts.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Decent in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2025

  Kikuchi allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Thursday. Kikuchi has walked at least three batters in four of his last seven starts. He's at least gotten the rest of his work under control, allowing just three runs over his last 11.2 innings, but his winless stretch reached seven games Thursday. For the season, Kikuchi has a 4.05 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 168:73 K:BB through 173.1 innings. The southpaw is tentatively projected for his last start of the season at home against the Royals next week.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Rebounds with quality start

  Rotowire Sep 13, 2025

  Kikuchi allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners. Kikuchi did his part, throwing 63 of 98 pitches for strikes in a quality start. He had allowed 18 runs over 11.2 innings across his previous three appearances, so this was a strong bounce-back effort, though the veteran southpaw has been quite shaky throughout the second half. Overall, he has a 4.08 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 166:70 K:BB through 167.2 innings over 31 starts. Kikuchi's next outing is tentatively projected to be at Milwaukee, which is a matchup fantasy managers may want to avoid.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Gives up season-high six runs

  Rotowire Aug 27, 2025

  Kikuchi (6-9) took the loss Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing six runs on four hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out three. Kikuchi has been quite dependable overall for the Angels and fantasy managers in 2025, but he conceded more than four runs for the first time this year Tuesday. The Japanese left-hander has also struggled with consistency since the beginning of July, posting a 5.18 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 57:20 K:BB over his last 57.1 innings. Kikuchi will try to regain his footing next week against the division-rival Astros, who have a weak .667 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the All-Star break.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Impressive in no-decision

  Rotowire Aug 21, 2025

  Kikuchi allowed one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out four batters over seven innings in a no-decision against Cincinnati on Wednesday. Kikuchi's efficiency was particularly notable Wednesday; he needed just 88 pitches to complete seven frames, throwing 58 strikes and issuing zero walks. That's a dramatic improvement after he had walked multiple batters seven times in his previous nine outings and had completed six innings just once during that span. Kikuchi didn't miss many bats with only six whiffs and four punchouts, but the tradeoff of being able to go deep into the contest is something that the Angels almost certainly prefer. Kikuchi lowered his season ERA to 3.42 with the strong outing, and he's next lined up to face the Rangers on the road.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Yields two homers in loss

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2025

  Kikuchi (6-8) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Friday. Kikuchi gave up a solo shot to leadoff hitter Shea Langeliers in the first inning and then surrendered a three-run blast in the third to Colby Thomas. Over his last eight starts, Kikuchi has been tagged for four runs on four occasions. This was his shortest outing since a two-inning start April 26 in Minnesota, and he's completed six frames just once since the start of July. Overall, Kikuchi still has a decent 3.52 ERA through 143 innings on the year, but his 1.44 WHIP and 149:61 K:BB tell a less pleasant story. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Reds.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Plenty of support in sixth win

  Rotowire Aug 10, 2025

  Kikuchi (6-7) picked up the win in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Tigers, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven. The southpaw wasn't at his sharpest, but he generated 30 called or swinging strikes on his 102 pitches (64 total strikes) and got backed by three homers from the Angels. Kikuchi has completed six innings only once since the beginning of July, compiling a 4.68 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB through 42.1 innings over that stretch. He'll try to tighten things up in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the A's.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Notches win, quality start

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2025

  Kikuchi (5-7) earned the win over Tampa Bay on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings. Kikuchi gave up a run in the first inning but kept the Rays from scoring over the remainder of his six frames. The southpaw surrendered just one extra-base hit (a double) and racked up 11 whiffs en route to seven punchouts. While Kikuchi's 5-7 record isn't impressive, he's quietly put together a solid first season in Los Angeles. The team's lone All-Star owns a 3.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 139:56 K:BB over 134 frames spanning 24 starts. His numbers could be even better if not for a .317 BABIP against him, which ranks seventh-highest among qualified starters.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Lasts 4.2 frames in loss

  Rotowire Jul 25, 2025

  Kikuchi (4-7) was charged with the loss Thursday versus the Mariners after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out four. The left-hander kept Seattle off the board and had a 1-0 lead through four innings, but Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena went deep in the fifth to flip the script. It was just the second time this season, and first since April 26, that Kikuchi failed to last at least five frames. The 34-year-old has a 3.23 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 127:54 K:BB over 122.2 innings this season and lines up to make his next start at home versus the Rangers next week.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Pulled after comebacker

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2025

  Kikuchi (4-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 10-5 victory over the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five. The southpaw served up a pair of solo shots to Eugenio Suarez but otherwise was in control until the sixth inning, when a 105 mph Josh Naylor comebacker with two outs struck him on the left shoulder. He stayed in the game for one more batter, but after a Randal Grichuk RBI single made it a 6-3 game, interim manager Ray Montgomery elected to lift the Angels' lone All-Star representative as a precaution, leaving him one out shy of his ninth quality start. There's been no word yet that he sustained any kind of lingering injury, and Kikuchi heads into the break with a 3.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 115:49 K:BB through 113 innings.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Labors over five frames

  Rotowire Jul 8, 2025

  Kikuchi allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings in a no-decision against Texas on Monday. Kikuchi served up a two-run homer in the first inning and allowed another pair of runs in the third. He managed only one 1-2-3 frame and needed 97 pitches (60 of which were strikes) to retire 15 batters. The four earned runs were the most Kikuchi has given up in a contest since April 26 -- a span of 13 starts. Despite this mediocre outing, he still has a strong 3.02 ERA on the campaign, and he'll be the Angels' lone representative in the All-Star game. Kikuchi has one more start scheduled before that contest, slated for this weekend at home against Arizona.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Fans seven in no-decision

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2025

  Kikuchi did not factor in the decision in the Angels' 8-3 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven across 5.2 innings. Kikuchi was able to escape from a bases-load situation in the first and was in line for the win as he entered the sixth looking to log a third consecutive quality start. He was lifted after giving up two consecutive singles and was tagged for those runs after Sean Murphy launched a three-run homer off Ryan Zeferjahn. Kikuchi is in the midst of a career season, and his 106 strikeouts and 2.81 ERA (across 101.2 innings) rank ninth and 11th, respectively, among qualified starters in the American League. He's slated to start against the Rangers at home next week.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Season-high 12 strikeouts in win

  Rotowire Jun 25, 2025

  Kikuchi (3-6) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 12. The southpaw looked like he might be in for a rough afternoon when a Scott Kingery error helped lead to a two-run first inning for Boston and forced Kikuchi to burn through 31 pitches, but he locked in after that, giving up just a single the rest of the way. The dozen strikeouts were a season high for Kikuchi, and he remains absolutely dominant at Angel Stadium, delivering a 1.12 ERA through eight home starts this year with a 3-1 record, a 1.10 WHIP and a 51:17 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His next outing, however, is scheduled to come on the road next week in Atlanta, and Kikuchi has labored to a 4.47 ERA and 1.63 WHIP away from Anaheim.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Fans nine in no-decision

  Rotowire Jun 21, 2025

  Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Astros, giving up two runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter. The southpaw looked like he was headed for a disastrous outing when Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes launched back-to-back homers to lead off the game, but Kikuchi kept his focus and shut the door on Houston until exiting the mound after 103 pitches (69 strikes), including 33 called or swinging strikes. The quality start was his seventh of the season, and he'll take a 3.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB through 89.2 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Red Sox.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Dominant in win over Athletics

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2025

  Kikuchi (2-5) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over 7.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Monday. Kikuchi retired the first 13 batters he faced. While he allowed both baserunners in the fifth inning, he was able to keep runs off the board in what was easily his best performance of the year. This is the first time he's completed seven innings all season, and it was his first quality start since May 12 versus the Padres since he had failed to finish six frames in each of his last four outings. Kikuchi had also walked at least four batters in those contests before showing better control Monday. He's at a 2.92 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 68:41 K:BB through 77 innings over 14 starts this season. Kikuchi is lined up for a road start in Baltimore this weekend.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Can't find plate again Tuesday

  Rotowire Jun 4, 2025

  Kikuchi came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Red Sox, giving up three runs on eight hits and five walks over five-plus innings. He struck out five. The left-hander tossed only 56 of 99 pitches for strikes in a shaky outing, but Kikuchi had limited the damage until running out of gas in the sixth inning, when he began the frame with two free passes sandwiched around a two-run homer by Ceddanne Rafaela before getting the hook. Kikuchi has walked at least four batters in four straight starts, but Rafaela's long ball was the first homer he's served up during that stretch, allowing him to escape with a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings despite a worrisome 20:18 K:BB. Kikuchi will try to tighten things up in his next trip the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the A's.

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• Angels' Yusei Kikuchi: Takes tough-luck loss Wednesday

  Rotowire May 29, 2025

  Kikuchi (1-5) took the loss against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters over five innings. Kikuchi struggled with his control throughout the outing, throwing just 51 of 93 pitches for strikes and tying a season high with five free passes -- though two of the walks were intentional (both to Aaron Judge). Still, the veteran hurler was able to mostly avoid damage, as he surrendered just a first-inning run. Kikuchi finished his outing on a high note by retiring the final eight batters he faced, but the Angels were unable to provide him with any run support, resulting in his fifth loss of the season. Despite a 1-5 record, Kikuchi has been solid as the ace of the Angels' staff, allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his past six starts and registering a 3.06 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 58:35 K:BB over 64.2 innings on the campaign.

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