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Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect

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Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect
Sport

Sport

Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect

2024-07-30 12:15 Last Updated At:12:20

HOUSTON (AP) — The Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for 23-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss, rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido and minor league first baseman Will Wagner.

The 33-year-old Kikuchi is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 22 starts this season, striking out 130 and walking 30 in 115 2/3 innings. He is 0-4 with a 7.75 ERA in eight starts since winning at Milwaukee on June 11.

Kikuchi is 35-46 with a 4.72 ERA in six seasons with Seattle and the Blue Jays. He has a $10 million salary in the final season of a $36 million, three-year contract and can become a free agent after the World Series.

“His stuff has always been really good,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I’m excited to get him with our pitching department so we can make some adjustments to how he pitches, how he can be more efficient, but the stuff is really good.”

Kikuchi joins a rotation that includes Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez and Spencer Arrighetti. Houston's rotation is missing Justin Verlander (neck stiffness), Cristian Javier and José Urquidy (both Tommy John surgery).

Toronto manager John Schneider said it was tough to say goodbye to Kikuchi and Justin Turner, who got traded to the Mariners in a separate deal.

“We wish him and (Turner) the best,” Schneider said. “I know they’re two American League teams, but you look at the people over the player, and they’re two of the most well-respected players in the big leagues.”

Bloss was scratched from his scheduled start against Pittsburgh on Monday.

He was selected from Georgetown with the 99th pick in the third round of the 2023 amateur draft and signed for a $497,500 bonus. Bloss made his major league debut on June 23 and is 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in three starts. He went on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation a day after his big league debut and was activated July 11.

Bloss had 13 starts at three minor league levels this year and went 4-2 with a 1.64 ERA. Wagner is the son of former Astros closer Billy Wagner.

“A lot of these guys have high price tags,” Astros GM Dana Brown said. “Getting a major league starter with that type of arm, you’re going to have to give up some pretty good players. It’s pretty difficult to give up young talent, but at the end of the day, we’re trying to stabilize our rotation so that we can get back to the postseason and potentially get deep into the postseason.”

Toronto began the season with a $244 million luxury tax payroll, $7 million over the tax threshold. As the deadline approached, the Blue Jays also dealt third baseman Justin Turner to Seattle, catcher Danny Jansen to Boston, right-hander Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Yimi García to Seattle.

The 25-year-old Loperfido made his major league debut on April 30 and is hitting .236 with two homers and 16 RBIs.

Wagner, who turned 26 on Monday, was hitting .307 with five homers and 41 RBIs for Triple-A Sugar Land.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher River Ryan celebrates after striking out Houston Astros' Joey Loperfido during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher River Ryan celebrates after striking out Houston Astros' Joey Loperfido during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) throws to a Detroit Tigers batter in the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) throws to a Detroit Tigers batter in the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Saturday, July 20, 2024. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Photo gallery: Thousands rally in 'Hands Off!' protests against Trump and Musk

2025-04-06 06:59 Last Updated At:07:01

Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk rallied across the U.S. to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues.

Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

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