Yusei Kikuchi trade: Astros acquire Blue Jays pitcher after injuries wreck starting rotation

Astros pitcher Jake Bloss headlines the package headed back to Toronto

By Mike Axisa Jul 29, 2024 at 11:23 pm ET• 1 min read

The Houston Astros have landed some much-needed rotation help. The Astros acquired lefty Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays for three prospects, the team announced following Monday's loss (PIT 5, HOU 3). Toronto will receive righty Jake Bloss, super utility man Joey Loperfido, and infielder Will Wagner in the 3-for-1 trade.

Kikuchi, 33, has an unsightly 4.75 ERA in 22 starts this season, though he's had some terrific individual games, and last season he posted a 3.86 ERA in 167 2/3 innings. Minute Maid Park can be a tough place to pitch for a fly ball prone lefty, though Kikuchi misses bats, and missing bats is the name of the game in October.

Yusei Kikuchi HOU • SP • #16 ERA4.75WHIP1.34IP115.2BB30K130 View Profile

Although they've been better the last few weeks, Astros starters rank 18th in ERA and 23rd in WAR this season. Justin Verlander has been sidelined since mid-June with a neck issue, and both Cristian Javier and José Urquidy needed Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Luis Garcia is rehabbing from his own Tommy John surgery.

Kikuchi will join Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Ronel Blanco in Houston's rotation. Spencer Arrighetti is getting the No. 5 spot warm for Verlander. The Astros had been connected to Detroit Tigers righty Jack Flaherty, but apparently found the price for Kikuchi more palatable.