Mariners' Japanese pitcher Kikuchi set for start of the MLB season

Seattle Mariners pitcher Yusei Kikuchi faced batters for the first time nearly three-month during the summer camp on Wednesday.

Kikuchi said he is more confident in his pitches now and will try to be ready 100 percent when the new, shortened MLB (Major League Baseball) season gets under way later this month following delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kikuchi is entering his second season with Seattle after playing eight professional seasons in Japan.

The revised campaign will feature 60 games and the regular season is scheduled to begin on 23rd July.