By J.Y. Mortimer
July 19th, 2023
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher SHINTARO FUJINAMI from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher EASTON LUCAS.
Fujinami, 29, is 5-8 with an 8.57 ERA (47 ER/49.1 IP) with 52 hits, 48 total runs, six home runs, 30 walks (1 IBB), five hit batters, and 51 strikeouts in 34 games (7 starts) this season. After opening the year in the rotation, he was transitioned to a reliever in late April. Since June 1, he has a 3.26 ERA (7 ER/19.1 IP) with 17 hits, two home runs, six walks, one hit batter, and 20 strikeouts in 17 games (3 starts). All three of those starts after moving to the bullpen were 1.0 inning or less.
A native of Sakai, Japan, Fujinami signed with the A’s as a free agent on January 13, 2023 after pitching 10 professional seasons with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was a three-time NPB All-Star from 2013-15.
Fujinami, pronounced shin-TAR-oh foo-jee-NAH-mee, will be the second Japanese-born player in Orioles history, joining Koji Uehara from 2009-11.
Lucas, 26, was 1-0 with one save and a 2.93 ERA (10 ER/30.2 IP) with 19 hits, 11 total runs, six home runs, 13 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 21 combined games between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie this season. He made his Triple-A debut with the Tides on June 9. Born in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Lucas was acquired by the O’s from Miami for infielder Jonathan Villar on December 2, 2019. He was originally selected by the Marlins in the 14th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Pepperdine University (CA).
Additionally, infielder/outfielder JOSH LESTER has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
COURTESY ORIOLES MEDIA RELATIONS; COURTESY MLBpressbox.com
