With Spring Training games underway, teams are beginning to plan for Opening Day. The Los Angeles Angels have announced that Yusei Kikuchi will be their Opening Day starting pitcher.
Kikuchi, 33, joined the Angels this offseason, signing a three-year deal worth $63 million. The southpaw is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, pitching between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. In 2024, Kikuchi posted a 9-10 record, a 4.05 ERA in 32 starts, striking out 206 batters and walking 44 across 175.2 innings of work.
His first season in MLB came in 2019, when he signed with the Seattle Mariners in January 2019. He also became the first Japanese-born player to make his MLB debut in Japan, with the Mariners playing at the Tokyo Dome. In 2021, he was selected to the American League All-Star Team.
Prior to his MLB career, Kikuchi was a member of the Saitama Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2011-18. During his NPB career, he was a three-time All-Star, leading the Pacific League in wins and ERA in 2017 while taking home a Mitsui Golden Glove Award.
Now, Kikuchi is prepared to make his first Opening Day start in his career. He becomes the second Japanese-born player to start an Opening Day game for the Halos, joining Shohei Ohtani. The Angels will open their season in Chicago, facing the White Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM EST.
