ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles activated Shintaro Fujinami earlier than Friday evening’s sport at Tampa Bay, two days after buying the Japanese right-hander from Oakland for left-hander Easton Lucas.
Fujinami signed a $3.25 million, one-year take care of the Athletics in January after spending 10 years with the Hanshin Tigers.
The deal has Fujinami going from the crew with the worst file in baseball to 1 with the AL’s high mark.
“A little nervous,” Fujinami mentioned by way of a translator earlier than the sport. “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 within the seventh inning. He rebounded to retire his subsequent three batters.
“Got ambushed there that first pitch,” Baltimore supervisor Brandon Hyde mentioned. “But after that, wow. I thought he had great stuff. Throwing over 100 (mph). He’s got a really nice split.”
PHOTOS: Orioles activate Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami 2 days after commerce with Oakland
“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 by way of a translator mentioned he was in search of a first-pitch fastball.
Fujinami went 5-8 with an 8.57 ERA in 34 video games with Oakland. He started the season as a starter however was shifted to the bullpen in late April.
In his final 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 mentioned.
Fujinami’s fastball reaches triple-digits.
“I’m excited to have him,” Hyde mentioned. “His stuff is really good. Pitching really well in his last 10, 15 appearances.”
The Orioles optioned right-hander Logan Gillaspie to Triple-A Norfolk.
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