Orioles activate Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami 2 days after trade with Oakland

By: The Associated Press Posted: 5:07 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 21, 2023 Last Modified: 9:08 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 21, 2023

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles activated Shintaro Fujinami before Friday night's game at Tampa Bay, two days after acquiring the Japanese right-hander from Oakland for left-hander Easton Lucas.

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This article was published 21/07/2023 (825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles activated Shintaro Fujinami before Friday night’s game at Tampa Bay, two days after acquiring the Japanese right-hander from Oakland for left-hander Easton Lucas.

Fujinami signed a $3.25 million, one-year deal with the Athletics in January after spending 10 years with the Hanshin Tigers.

The deal has Fujinami going from the team with the worst record in baseball to one with the AL’s top mark.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami warms up in the outfield during batting practice before playing against the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game Friday, July 21, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

“A little nervous,” Fujinami said through a translator before the game. “I mean, a lot more people watching the game.”

Fujinami made his Orioles debut in a 3-0 loss to the Rays, giving up a homer to Jose Siri on his first pitch in the seventh inning. He rebounded to retire his next three batters.

“Got ambushed there that first pitch,” Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. “But after that, wow. I thought he had great stuff. Throwing over 100 (mph). He’s got a really nice split.”

“Siri came out of the on-deck circle ready to swing,” Hyde added. “The guy’s first pitch with us. For being on a flight all night last night, he pitched great after that.”

Siri through a translator said he was looking for a first-pitch fastball.

Fujinami went 5-8 with an 8.57 ERA in 34 games with Oakland. He began the season as a starter but was shifted to the bullpen in late April.

In his last 18 appearances with the A’s, he went 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA.

“I wasn’t feeling very comfortable with my pitching mechanics at the beginning of the season,” Fujinami said.