Mariners reinstate Yusei Kikuchi from IL for All-Star Game

Seattle Mariners left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi earned his first All-Star nod this year but was in danger of missing Tuesday's game at Coors Field because he was on the injured list. 

According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, though, the Mariners reinstated Kikuchi from the IL Monday morning, making him eligible for the exhibition contest. 

Seattle placed the 30-year-old on the IL Sunday morning after he reported experiencing a symptom common with COVID-19 infections on Saturday. Kikuchi is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus but nevertheless needed to test negative for the virus twice to participate in the All-Star Game. Divish wrote Kikuchi got the necessary negative test result on Sunday and flew to Denver for the matchup. 

In corresponding roster moves, the Mariners optioned infielder Donovan Walton to Triple-A Tacoma and designated relief pitcher Will Vest for assignment. 

Kikuchi is 6-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 16 starts and 98.1 innings of work on the season.