The New York Mets have made a significant addition to their bullpen, signing right-hander Shintaro Fujinami to a one-year deal worth $3.35 million, with the potential to earn an additional $850,000 in incentives. The news was reported by MLB Network correspondent Jon Heyman on Friday.
Fujinami, who made his rookie debut in the Majors in 2023 after a successful 10-year career with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball, initially struggled as a starter with the A’s before being moved to the bullpen, where he saw improvement in his performance.
After a Trade Deadline transaction, Fujinami was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he finished the season with a 4.85 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 29.1 innings of work.
The Mets have not officially commented on the deal, but the addition of Fujinami brings depth and experience to their bullpen as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fans and analysts will be eager to see how the Japanese pitcher’s talents will contribute to the team’s success on the field.