Kikuchi mechanics and new pitch

[CubFan]

I've had Kikuchi sitting on my bench after his first 2 starts in my 12 team AL only 5x5 H2H keeper league. Threw a gem last time out against the hot hitting Yankees. He's scrapped his cutter for a harder slider and changed his mechanics with less of a leg kick as well as shifting the target behind home plate. This last game is certainly encouraging. He gets the Yankees again next week (he's faced some tough teams to start the season). Would you keep him on the bench and wait to see if these changes have staying power or activate him? I'd bench either Blackburn, Flexen or one of my RPs....Loaisiga, Duran or Munoz.

[Todd Zola]

Your team, your call. It's contextual to what you need most in a H2H matchup. Am I encouraged? Yes, absolutely. I'm aggressive with pitching (in the low run-scoring landscape) and would use Kikuchi in most roto leagues, depending on other matchups.