JUST NOW: Los Angeles Angels sign prominent left-hander from Seattle Mariners

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that left-hander has agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Kikuchi, 33, had a stellar second half of the 2024 season after being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros. In 10 starts with Houston, he delivered a 2.70 ERA across 60 innings. Overall, he compiled a 4.05 ERA in 32 starts last season, splitting time between Toronto and Houston.

Angels Add Yusei Kikuchi to Rotation
When the Astros traded for Kikuchi, many questioned whether they had overpaid. However, his performance silenced critics. During his brief stint with Houston, the Japanese southpaw posted a 2.70 ERA (147 ERA+) with a standout 31.8% strikeout rate and a walk rate of just 5.9%. Kikuchi’s success stemmed from an increased reliance on his slider, dialing back his curveball usage.