With the exception of their first two starting pitchers, Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman, the Toronto Blue Jays have struggled to find stability in their rotation in 2022.
It is for this reason that the Canadian team acquired Chris Bassitt last December.
However, the arrival of the right-hander does not fill all the holes in the rotation, leaving the position of fifth starter open for who will offer the best performance, and this, even if Yusei Kikuchi seems to be the one with the most chances to clinch the title. job.
However, the latter will have to bounce back if he wants to stay in place between now and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s return to play, since his high 5.19 earned run average last year does not reassure anyone. It was one of the worst seasons by a pitcher in the past 25 years. It hurts…
Currently, only his guaranteed $20 million contract for the next two seasons gives him an advantage against Mitch White, Drew Hutchison and Zach Thompson, among others.
Kikuchi will need to find a solution to his control issues on the mound, issues that are preventing him from posting a career ERA under five. Nothing to dispel doubts among Jays fans.
Everything seems to indicate that the 31-year-old’s real place is in the bullpen, but the Jays tend to want to give him one last chance. He will have to respond as soon as he sets foot on the sand of the mound.
Nothing is less sure…
