Astros acquire lefty Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays #mlb #mlbseason2024 #astros #bluejays

The Houston Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, adding a much-needed starter to their injury-ravaged pitching staff as they duel with Seattle and try to hold off Texas in the American League West.

Kikuchi, 33, has a 4.75 ERA that is inflated by bad ball-in-play luck this season but Houston is banking on his 130 strikeouts and 30 walks in 115⅔ innings to foretell better performances.

The Blue Jays will receive right-hander Jake Bloss, who had ascended from High-A to the major leagues this season, in return for Kikuchi, the team announced. Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido and infield prospect Will Wagner are also headed back to Toronto.