Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi Needs Astounding Amount of Sleep to Pitch Well

The hurler says lack of sleep caused cramps.

Health experts recommend adults get seven or more hours of sleep for proper rest and recovery. That's nowhere near enough rest for Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

According to The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath, the fifth-year major leaguer claims that he typically sleeps 13 to 14 hours per night. Kikuchi pitched well in Tuesday's start against the Yankees, allowing one run and four hits with seven strikeouts over five innings. 

But the left-hander had to leave the game after five innings due to cramps and he claims that's because he only got 11 hours of sleep Monday night. 

#BlueJays starter Yusei Kikuchi thinks he’ll be fine for his next start after he left the game with cramps. The biggest revelation was that he said it may have been caused by only getting 11 (!) hours of sleep last night instead of his usual 13 or 14 hours (!!)

— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) September 20, 2023

Most people would surely say they need seven or eight hours per night to be awake and productive throughout the day. Athletes likely require more to recover from physical exertion. At 32, Kikuchi is an older competitor who clearly feels he needs even more. 

Toronto's Yusei Kikuchi claims he typically sleeps more than half a day.  :: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports

However, baseball fans and media couldn't relate to the luxury of 14 hours of sleep per night. 

I legitimately haven't totalled 14 hours of combined sleep over the past few days.

— Ryan Gorman (@GormoExJourno) September 20, 2023

Today I learned Yusei Kikuchi is in a coma and occasionally wakes up to play baseball

— Chris H (@the_manekin) September 20, 2023

I’m just asking because this is a remarkable statement that’s now making the rounds on social media: is there any chance that something got lost in translation? Because those are “I have mono” type sleep hours.

— Emily Kathryn (@emmykn) September 20, 2023

Kikuchi is likely to pitch next for Toronto on Sunday. The Blue Jays may want to make sure he gets those 14 hours of shuteye the night before.