HOUSTON – With young prospects Justin Dunn and Justus Sheffield expected to join the Mariners for the final month of the season, Seattle could go from a four-man starting rotation to a six-man rotation.
It’s an idea the Mariners are kicking around as they monitor the total innings of Yusei Kikuchi in his first full season in Major League Baseball.
Kikuchi, 28, has made 23 starts this season, posting a 4-8 record with a 5.49 ERA. In 118 innings, he’s struck out 84 batters, issued 38 walks and allowed 28 homers, second most in MLB.