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

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. 

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. 

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

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.