Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi’s work during shutdown has him ahead of curve in camp
Baseball may have shut down for nearly four months, but Seattle Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi didn’t.
Known around Seattle’s clubhouse for how often he throws, Kikuchi kept with his rigorous program in Arizona even after spring training was suspended, and that has him ahead of the curve as the Mariners prepare to return to play at the end of July.
“I was able to throw quite often during the lockdown period,” Kikuchi said Wednesday during a video call with reporters, through interpreter Kevin Ando. “Got in, I want to say, three bullpens per week. I got to throw two live (sessions) toward the end down there in Peoria.”
He also threw with Ando and Mariners reliever Yoshihisa Hirano while the Mariners were shut down, and lifted weights and worked out at his home gym.
“I practiced and worked out almost every day,” he said.
Following Kikuchi’s first bullpen session back inside T-Mobile Park last week, Mariners manager Scott Servais said “he looked just like he did when he left spring training.”
Kikuchi, entering his second season with Seattle after playing eight professional seasons in Japan, looked strong and confident through three Cactus League starts in March after refining his mechanics during the offseason, and kept with the adjustments during the shutdown.
“Those new mechanics I worked on during the offseason just feel natural now,” he said. “I feel like those are my natural mechanics now. I’m mainly focused on just facing hitters, competing against hitters, instead of worrying about my mechanics.”
That was evident Wednesday morning, when he threw 39 pitches during a live batting practice session at T-Mobile Park.
He opened by striking out Mariners first baseman Evan White swinging, and also faced Jose Marmolejos in his first session. He faced four batters — White and Marmolejos each twice — and threw 19 pitches before taking a brief break and returning for a second session.
He threw 20 pitches to Sam Haggerty and catcher Tom Murphy the second time out, facing each hitter three times.
His pitches — particularly his changeup, which he worked on specifically during the shutdown — felt sharp.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot right now,” Kikuchi said. “I wasn’t throwing it 100% today. I haven’t thrown to hitters in a couple of weeks, so it’s kind of more of a touch and feel.
“I did bring it on a few pitches, hit 95 (mph) today. Like I said, I feel like I’m in a good spot and as I ramp things up, I should be able to get a little bit more velocity-wise.”
LEWIS HOMERS AGAIN
Make that two home runs for Kyle Lewis in live BP.
After striking out on three pitches during his first at-bat against reliever Austin Adams, the young outfielder had a prompt answer in his second, crushing the first pitch he saw deep into the seats in right center.
Dee Gordon and other teammates playfully hollered at Adams as Lewis slowly walked away from the plate.
“Dee was talking trash and saying, ‘That’s not a swing, and he checked, and he didn’t go,’ and all of this stuff on some of the sliders and the fastballs,” Adams said later on a video call with reporters.
“Just chirping. Just good fun. Once Kyle hit that home run, I looked at Dee and I was like, ‘It’s about time you guys got a ball in play.’
“That was hit really far. I’m glad I don’t have to face that guy and he’s on my team.”
That’s the second time Lewis has cleared the fence against a Mariners pitcher the first week of practice. He ripped a line drive homer to right center off Nestor Cortes Jr. on Monday morning.
ADAMS SHARP IN RETURN
Don’t be too fooled by the Lewis home run, though — Adams looked sharp facing live hitters at T-Mobile Park for the first time since having surgery on his left knee last fall.
He faced Bishop and Lewis three times each and threw 23 pitches. He finished with four strikeouts while allowing the homer and a single to Bishop.
“I felt great,” Adams said. “I can’t complain on anything. … The first three batters, three up three down, three strikeouts and then I got K-Lew back (with another strikeout) after the home run. Bishop did a good job on the fastball away with the base hit up the middle.
“I felt like I was really good out there. The guys looked really good hitting, too, so overall really good day.”
Adams finished his injury-shortened season with the Mariners last year with a 3.77 ERA in 29 appearances and struck out 51 batters while walking 14.
GAME ON
The Mariners will play seven innings in their first intrasquad game Friday, Servais said. Starters Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn are each scheduled to throw two innings.
The game will begin at 2:30 p.m. and be broadcast on 710 ESPN Seattle.
“They’re ready to go,” Servais said. “No hesitations. They shouldn’t have any hesitations about getting after it. … It’s game on — let’s play it like a game.”
SHORT HOPS
Marco Gonzales is scheduled make his first intrasquad start Sunday, which keeps him lined up as Seattle’s Opening Day starter. ... Kikuchi said he is scheduled to throw in an instrasquad game Tuesday. ... Isaiah Campbell, Anthony Misiewicz, Dan Altavilla and Joey Gerber threw live BP sessions during Wednesday’s afternoon workout. ... Outfielder Jake Fraley was a full participant in Wednesday morning’s workout after he was hit on the helmet by a fastball during a live BP session Tuesday. “Luckily, it did hit the helmet,” Servais said. “It didn’t get him anywhere else. It caught him right on the back side of the helmet, so he’s OK. We shut him down for a half hour or so (Tuesday). He was fine. No symptoms.” … Murphy (foot contusion) was also a full participant Wednesday. … Reliever Gerson Bautista tweaked his hip during Tuesday’s live BP session, but Servais does not expect him to miss any time. … The Mariners will have a short morning practice Thursday to get live BP sessions in for pitchers who have not thrown yet, but most players will have the day off, Servais said.
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 2:10 PM.
