ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Seattle Mariners pitcher Yusei Kikuchi took a sharp ground ball off his right knee and left Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning.
The Japanese left-hander fell to the ground after getting hit by a comebacker hit by David Fletcher.
Kikuchi was writhing in pain when catcher José Godoy tried to throw out Fletcher at first and threw into right field, allowing Taylor Ward to score from first.
Kikuchi left the game after receiving assistance from trainers and the Mariners coaching staff. The Mariners said the injury was a right knee contusion.
Kikuchi, who came into the game with a 3-3 record, was pitching well. He had eight strikeouts and allowed two runs, both on home runs, through the first four innings.
It would be another blow for the Mariners if Kikuchi had to go on the injured list. Already this week, right-hander Justin Dunn went on due to right shoulder inflammation and shortstop Kyle Lewis, last season’s AL Rookie of the Year, is expected to miss a significant amount of time due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
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