Shintaro

Fujinami

Fujinami never made it to Seattle after signing a minor league deal with the club back in January. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since making 64 appearances (seven starts) between the Athletics and Orioles. He was cut loose after posting a lackluster 5.79 ERA with a 24/26 K/BB ratio across 18 2/3 innings (21 appearances) this season for Triple-A Tacoma.

No massive surprises included in the latest bath of cuts from Mariners camp. A strong spring performance by non-roster invitee Rowdy Tellez made it unlikely that Canzone would get a bench spot, especially with Dylan Moore and Ryan Bliss in the mix. Evans was on the fast-track to the big leagues last year, but the Mariners don’t have a spot for him in their season-opening bullpen, which might be one of the best in baseball.

Fujinami spent the 2024 season in the Mets’ organization, and he was outrighted off the roster after posting an ugly 7.79 ERA with Triple-A Syracuse. The 30-year-old right-hander also struggled in the majors in 2023, but he does have quality stuff; just no idea where that stuff is going. He’ll get a chance to show he can throw enough strikes to win a bullpen spot in the Seattle bullpen this spring.

Fujinami passed through waivers unsurprisingly after being designated for assignment last Friday. The 30-year-old righty hasn’t panned out this season, failing to make an appearance for the Mets after signing a one-year deal back in February. He’ll most likely wind up electing free agency unless he wants to stick around with the Mets and collect the rest of his $3.35 million salary for this season.

The Mets signed Fujinami for $3.35 million in the offseason, but due to injury and major control issues he never pitched for the team at the major league level. Fujinami had a 7.18 ERA in 64 games for the Athletics and Orioles in 2023. New York has a week to trade Fujinami or place him on waivers.

Fujinami will move up to Double-A after previously working at Low-A St. Lucie. The right-hander can come off the 60-day injured list Wednesday, but it’s unlikely that he makes appearances for the Mets before the All-Star break.

Fujinami has been on the injured list since May 3, and since he’s on the 60-day injured list, he can’t return to the Mets until July 3. There’s no guarantee he’ll be ready by then, but the 30-year-old right-hander will have a chance to join the bullpen near the All-Star break if there’s no setbacks during recovery of his shoulder strain.

The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for Joe Hudson. Fujinami, who struggled mightily for Triple-A Syracuse at the beginning of the season, has been sidelined since May 3 with a shoulder strain.

They’re probably doing this in anticipation of shifting him to the 60-day IL at some point. Fujinami last pitched for Syracuse on May 3. He had a 14.09 ERA and a 9/17 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings in Triple-A.

Fujinami is a high-profile cut from Mets camp, but he missed time at the outset of the spring due to visa issues and has struggled mightily through five Grapefruit League appearances. He’ll presumably get some time to iron things out at Triple-A Syracuse before returning to the big leagues.