Orioles deal for A’s reliever Fujinami

BALTIMORE — If the Orioles plan on making a deep run by the postseason, they should bolster their pitching employees. On Wednesday, they took step one towards doing that.

Fujinami, 29, is an MLB rookie after spending 10 seasons enjoying for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Skilled Baseball in Japan. He signed with the A’s this previous offseason, and he started the yr within the membership’s beginning rotation.

Nevertheless, Fujinami didn’t fare properly early, going 0-4 with a 14.40 ERA over his first 4 begins. At that time, Oakland opted to maneuver the righty to the bullpen.

Fujinami has continued to enhance as he’s gained MLB expertise. For the reason that starting of June, he has a 3.26 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings over 17 appearances. He’s pitched particularly properly in July, recording a 2.25 ERA over seven appearances.

The most effective weapon in Fujinami’s arsenal is a four-seam fastball that’s averaging 98 mph and has touched 102.1, per Statcast. However he additionally depends closely on his splitter and his cutter, whereas additionally periodically working in some breaking stuff.

Fujinami will turn into the second Japanese-born participant in O’s historical past, becoming a member of right-hander Koji Uehara, who started his MLB profession by enjoying three seasons in Baltimore from 2009-11.

The Orioles have wanted extra high-leverage relievers to bridge the hole between their starters and the All-Star duo of setup man Yennier Cano and nearer Félix Bautista. The group has struggled a bit to seek out different choices on nights these two right-handers have been unavailable.

The 6-foot-6 Fujinami ought to slot in properly alongside different key center relievers similar to left-hander Danny Coulombe and righty Mike Baumann. However Baltimore will not be finished making strikes, because it might nonetheless use one other stable arm or two to additional strengthen its push for its first postseason berth since 2016.

To make room for Fujinami on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder/outfielder Josh Lester for project. The 29-year-old had been enjoying for Triple-A Norfolk after a stint with Baltimore from June 3-24.

Lucas, a 14th-round decide within the 2019 MLB Draft, was acquired by the O’s from the Marlins in alternate for infielder Jonathan Villar in December 2019. The 26-year-old southpaw had a 2.73 ERA in 20 aid appearances between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie this season.

This was the second commerce accomplished between the O’s and the A’s this yr, after Baltimore acquired left-hander Cole Irvin in alternate for shortstop prospect Darell Hernaiz in January.