Kikuchi (back) is listed as the Mariners' projected starter for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Kikuchi's inclusion on the pitching schedule implies that he tossed a between-starts bullpen session without incident after his last outing Monday against the Athletics was cut short when he experienced cramping in his lower back. The southpaw still churned out a fifth consecutive quality start, giving him a 2.78 ERA over that stretch. He'll close out the week with a favorable matchup against a Rangers offense that ranks 22nd in the majors entering Sunday with a team wRC+ of 93 versus left-handed pitching.