Olney on struggling Jays P Kikuchi: ‘There’s a long time to figure it out’

Following the recent struggles of Yusei Kikuchi, attention has turned to how the Toronto Blue Jays will proceed with the starting pitcher who was signed to a three-year, $36 million contract prior to this season.

Kikuchi is 2-4 with a 5.08 ERA in 14 starts this season and has struggled recently, posting a record of 0-3 and a 9.39 ERA in June.

ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney joined First Up on TSN 1050 on Tuesday morning and weighed in on how he expects the Blue Jays to handle Kikuchi’s role going forward, including a possible move to the bullpen.

“There’s a long time to figure it out. Having known [general manager] Ross [Atkins] for as long as I have and having known [team president] Mark [Shapiro] for as long as I have, I think they will err on the side of patience,” Olney said.

“When you give a guy a multi-year deal, you’re not going to turn the page permanently halfway through the first season of that deal. That’s just the way it goes. They should take some heart in the fact they are in a good place in the standings. Without having talked to Ross specifically about Kikuchi, I can’t give you a great answer on that, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they do make an adjustment here, at least temporarily, to buy him some time to figure it out.

Kevin Gausman provided much-needed stability for the Blue Jays on Monday, striking out 10 batters in seven shutout innings in a 7-2 win in the series opener against the Boston Red Sox.

Toronto is also reportedly adding veteran reliever Sergio Romo, who was released by the Seattle Mariners earlier this month.

Olney views Romo as a “lottery ticket,” however he says the Blue Jays would have nothing to lose in bringing Romo aboard. 

“[Romo] is someone who for years and years and years has