Mariners' Yusei Kikuchi to make a shortened start on Friday

Seattle Mariners pitcher Yusei Kikuchi will make a shortened start on Friday as the team tries to limit his workload this season.

What It Means:

Kikuchi will pitch just one or two innings with Justus Sheffield coming in after him. Kikuchi is in his first season with the Mariners after 8 seasons pitching in Japan.

Kikuchi has posted a 4.68 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 23 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings pitched so far this season.