I can't believe that a promising player who has been in a good trend is fighting for life and death…The team's best performance, ML 1000K, was unique

Sep 12, 2025

I can't believe that a promising player who has been in a good trend is fighting for life and death…The team's best performance, ML 1000K, was unique
기쿠치 유세이. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesYonhap News



I can't believe that a promising player who has been in a good trend is fighting for life and death…The team's best performance, ML 1000K, was unique
리오 포스터.AP Yonhap News
Yusei Kikuchi (34, LA Angels) did not turn a blind eye to the pain of promising players in the team.

Japan 'Nikkan Sports' announced on the 11th (Korea time) that 'L.A. Angels veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (34) delivered the donation to the minor leaguer under the club, which was in serious condition due to a car accident.

The Angels said on the 6th that Rio Foster, a member of the Tri-City Dust Devils (High Single A under the Los Angeles Angels), was in a Kyoto accident vehicle and was being treated at a hospital in Richland, Washington.




Foster, from Florence-Darlington Technical University, South Carolina, U.S., received the Angels' nomination in the 16th round of the 2023 MLB Rookie Draft.

After steadily gaining experience over the past two years, he began to show his skills in earnest this season. Prior to the accident, he had a batting average of 267, 10 homers, 40 RBIs, 54 runs, and an OPS (long-hitting rate + on-base percentage) of 0.846 in 93 games. In August, he was named the Northwest League Player of the Month in August with a batting average of 333, seven home runs, and an OPS of 1.12.

It's a pity for the Angels as well. Angels acting manager Ray Montgomery said "We haven't received any specific information yet, but we have experience together in spring camp. It was a rookie draft sub-round pick, but it showed growth. Recently, he was named Player of the Month, and he said, `The player who continued the good flow.'




I can't believe that a promising player who has been in a good trend is fighting for life and death…The team's best performance, ML 1000K, was unique
기쿠치 유세이. AP Yonhap News
The poster was driven by a drunk friend around 2 a.m. local time. The vehicle was thrown out of the car as it collided with a pillar and underwent a skull operation. We currently have additional brain surgery ahead of us."

He's still a promising player. The cost of the operation was bound to be a burden. Foster's mother started crowdfunding to pay for the surgery.

Kikuchi actively stepped up. He made 10,000 dollars (about 14 million won). The media highlighted that 'the largest amount of the Angels' squad. Angels outfielder Joe Adele also reportedly donated $5,000.




Meanwhile, Kikuchi is 6-11 with a 4.18 ERA in 30 games this season. He started against the Atlanta Braves on the 7th and was sluggish with seven runs in two innings. However, he struck out one and achieved 1,000 strikeouts in the individual major leagues.

I can't believe that a promising player who has been in a good trend is fighting for life and death…The team's best performance, ML 1000K, was unique
Sep 6, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Video board showing 1000 career strikeout milestone for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Kikuchi recorded the strike out against Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (25). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images




This article was translated by Naver AI translator.