Yusei Kikuchi will be playing this season with a heavy heart. On Saturday, he was notified that this father, Yuji, had passed away after a protracted battle with cancer.
The Mariners’ rookie left-hander released a statement about notifying the media father’s death and his intention of dedicating his season to him. Kikuchi will not return to Japan for his father’s funeral, but instead remain with the team and continue to pitch. He will start on Thursday in Chicago.
Here’s his statement
“I learned today that my father, Yuji Kikuchi, passed away following a long and valiant battle with cancer.