Blue Jays sign free agent Yusei Kikuchi to round out starting rotation
Field Level Media | Posted: March 12, 2022 8:49 PM | Last Updated: March 14, 2022
Lefty posted 4.41 ERA, career-high 163 strikeouts in 157 innings in 2021 with Mariners
The Toronto Blue Jays have added left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36-million US contract, with the Jays making the signing official on Monday.
Kikuchi, 30, spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, posting a 15-24 record with a 4.97 earned-run average over 70 games, all starts. He walked 132 batters and struck out 326 over 365.2 innings.
Last season, Kikuchi was 7-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 157 innings, striking out a career-high 163.
He would join a projected rotation featuring fellow newcomer Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Alek Manoah and Hyun Jin Ryu.
The Blue Jays signed free agent Kevin Gausman to a five-year, $110-million deal before the lockout that ended on Thursday.