Fastball

Former A's, Orioles and Mets Hard-Throwing Reliever Takes Big Step Toward Hopeful 2025 Return

The hard-throwing Japanese right-hander hopes to continue his career in 2025.

Brady Farkas

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami (14) celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Boston Red Sox to become A.L. Champs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 2023.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shintaro Fujinami (14) celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Boston Red Sox to become A.L. Champs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 2023. / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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After being designated for assignment by the New York Mets this past season, hard-throwing reliever Shintaro Fujinami has made the decision to play winter ball with the hopes of re-starting his major league career in 2025.

MLBTradeRumors had the information via a Japanese news outlet:

Right-hander Shintaro Fujinami is planning to play in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason as he looks to demonstrate his health for interested clubs, he revealed in an interview with Japanese news outlet Sponichi. He hopes to continue playing in the United States for the 2025 season.

Fujinami came to the United States in the 2023 season, signing with the Oakland Athletics. Though he broke camp as a starter, he quickly transitioned to the bullpen, finding more success there.

He was 5-8 with the A's, posting a 8.57 ERA. However, he had a 4.85 ERA in 30 games with the Baltimore Orioles after a mid-season trade. He helped the Orioles get to the playoffs and continually flashed velocity in the upper-90s.

Because of a shoulder injury, he did not pitch at all in the majors in 2024. He was with the Mets organization as he rehabbed, going 1-2 with a 5.94 ERA across four levels. He had a 6.68 ERA with Triple-A Syracuse, which will certainly give teams pause.

However, given his age (30) and high-octane fastball, it wouldn't be shocking to see him get another opportunity next season, especially if he looks solid in Puerto Rico. It's also possible that the only opportunities out there for him are minor league ones.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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