Kikuchi's key companions to share in All-Star experience

While left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is the lone representative for the Angels in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, he won’t be alone when he takes part in Tuesday's festivities at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Kikuchi will be joined by interpreter Yusuke Oshima and soft tissue specialist Kenji Ito, as Kikuchi leans heavily on both throughout the season and they’re inseparable at the ballpark. Ito has been with Kikuchi throughout his stints with the Mariners (2019-21), Blue Jays ('22-24) and Astros (’24), while Oshima became his interpreter in his second year with Toronto in '23. Kikuchi won't be playing in the game after being replaced by Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen on Friday, but he is looking forward to enjoying the experience with Oshima and Ito.

“The three of us are always together more than we are together with our families,” Kikuchi said through Oshima. “We go through the ups and downs together. If I'm ever down or trying to figure things out, like how to improve myself, they’re there for me. Being able to enjoy this all together at the All-Star Game should be fun.”

It’s the second American League All-Star Game selection for Kikuchi, who was also an All-Star with the Mariners in 2021 and joined the Angels on a three-year deal worth $63 million this offseason. He’s hoping this year goes a little bit smoother, as he was under the weather during his first time as an All-Star.

Kikuchi had to be replaced on the roster that year, as he contracted COVID-19 shortly before that year’s Midsummer Classic at Denver’s Coors Field. He tested negative twice, which allowed him to attend the festivities that year, but he didn’t pitch in the game and didn’t feel his best.

Kikuchi was taken off the roster because he pitched against the D-backs on Saturday. But he is relishing another opportunity to be among the game’s bright stars, and he said his biggest priority is helping the Angels remain in contention in the second half.

“At the end of the day, I want to put the team first," Kikuchi said. "We're going for the postseason.”

And while it’ll be Kikuchi’s second experience, it’ll mark the first time for Oshima, as the Toronto native didn’t become Kikuchi’s interpreter until he joined the Blue Jays on a three-year deal before the ’22 season. Oshima said he’s looking forward to it, especially to reconnecting with several of Kikuchi’s former Blue Jays and Astros teammates like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Hunter Brown and Josh Hader.

“It’s definitely a cool experience,” Oshima said. “Something I never thought I would do. Growing up, just a general baseball fan, I was watching every year as a kid, just having a love for baseball. So it’ll be cool to see all the stars and a lot of his former teammates.”

And while Oshima is paramount in helping Kikuchi with his interpreting skills at the ballpark, Kikuchi has become well-versed in English since coming to the Major Leagues in 2019. He’s able to converse with his teammates, and when conducting interviews, he doesn’t need to have the question translated before he answers.

“He’s been so much fun,” said catcher Travis d’Arnaud. “He's a big jokester. He likes to have fun.

"Obviously on his start days, he's more locked in. But he's always doing his work, always working on recovery, always trying to get better. And even in his bullpens, very detail oriented on every little thing, and then his game days, he does a lot of scouting. He knows what guys like to hit, what they don't like to hit. Knows which one of his pitches work better than others. Just very detail oriented.”

And while Kikuchi will be traveling with Oshima and Ito, he’s also excited to bring his wife, Rumi, and 6-year-old son, Leo, to Atlanta. He said Leo is now old enough to understand the experience, unlike in 2019, when he was just 2 years old.

“And that’s what’s most important,” Kikuchi said in perfect English.