The Toronto Blue Jays have traded left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros, according to sources reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
As part of the deal, Astros pitching prospect Jake Bloss will be heading to Toronto, as detailed by Ken Rosenthal, Kaitlyn McGrath, and Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
In addition to Bloss, the Blue Jays are expected to receive two more prospects in the trade.
Kikuchi, who is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season, currently holds a 4.75 ERA with a 3.64 FIP and a 10.1 K/9 rate across 115 2/3 innings (22 starts) this season. The 33-year-old left-hander struggled in his last eight starts before the trade deadline, recording a 7.75 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.
Bloss, the No. 2-ranked prospect in Houston’s minor-league system according to Baseball America, made his MLB debut this season. He has a 6.94 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings (three starts). In the minor leagues, Bloss compiled a 1.64 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP and an 8.6 K/9 rate over 66 innings across three levels in 2024.
