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Blue Jays reorganize rotation schedule post All-Star break, Kikuchi to receive additional start
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    Blue Jays reorganize rotation schedule post All-Star break, Kikuchi to receive additional start

    With the All-Star Game in the rearview mirror, the Toronto Blue Jays are already looking ahead to Friday’s matchup with the Detroit Tigers.

    The team announced it would adjust the starting pitching rotation to orchestrate an extra outing for Yusei Kikuchi ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

    Kikuchi finished off the first half of the season in rough fashion. In the team’s last game before All-Star week, he took the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 14. There, he had a solid start through the first four frames but gave up a three-run homer en route to allowing seven total runs in the fifth before being pulled.

    Kikuchi has lived and died in the strike zone across his 20 starts throughout the 2024 campaign. He began the year maintaining control and keeping the ball in the park, as he gave up just four home runs through his first 10 starts, however, he has since conceded 12 over his last 10.

    Out of the four Blue Jays starters with 100 innings pitched on the year, Kikuchi (4-8, 4.42 ERA) boasts the most strikeouts with 117, while also holding the lowest walk total at 26 — including setting a career-high two games ago by punching out 13 without conceding a single walk.

    According to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Rogers Centre should expect plenty of scouting presence from around the league throughout this upcoming weekend. The extra appearance will pit Kikuchi against two teams that are in the lower half of the standings when it comes to weighted on-base average against lefties.

    Toronto originally signed Kikuchi to a three-year deal during free agency ahead of the 2022 campaign and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

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    The Toronto Blue Jays have announced some changes to their starting rotation schedule following the All-Star break, with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi set to receive an additional start.

    Kikuchi, who was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the Seattle Mariners earlier this season, has been impressive in his first few outings with his new team. The 30-year-old has posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in five starts for the Blue Jays, showing why he was considered one of the top pitchers available on the trade market.

    With Kikuchi’s strong performance, the Blue Jays have decided to give him an extra start in the rotation to keep him on a regular schedule and take advantage of his hot streak. This move will also allow the team to give some of their other starters an extra day of rest, which could be crucial as they make a push for a playoff spot in the second half of the season.

    The Blue Jays currently sit in third place in the American League East, just a few games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays. With a talented lineup led by stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Marcus Semien, as well as a solid pitching staff that now includes Kikuchi, the Blue Jays are poised to make a run at the postseason.

    Manager Charlie Montoyo expressed confidence in Kikuchi’s ability to continue his strong performance down the stretch, stating, “Yusei has been a great addition to our team, and we believe he can help us win games as we push for the playoffs. Giving him an extra start will keep him sharp and give us the best chance to succeed.”

    Blue Jays fans will be eager to see how Kikuchi performs in his additional start and how the team fares in the second half of the season. With a revamped rotation and a potent lineup, the Blue Jays have a real shot at making some noise in the postseason this year.