Baltimore Orioles Activate New Trade Acquisition Ahead of Friday's Game

The Baltimore Orioles, in first place in the American League East, have officially activated Shintaro Fujinami after acquiring him from the Oakland Athletics.

The Baltimore Orioles are officially in first place in the American League East this late in the season for the first time since 2016.

They beat the Rays on Thursday night in extra-innings and have reinforcements on the way for Friday in the form of reliever Shintaro Fujinami, who was acquired this week in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Fujinami was activated by the Orioles on Friday.

ANALYSIS
Fujinami will officially join Baltimore's bullpen after being acquired via trade from the Athletics on Wednesday. The right-hander has produced an impressive 1.64 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 11 innings in his last nine appearances dating back to June 28.

He made seven starts with the A's before being moved to the bullpen. He really struggled early but as evidenced by the numbers above, he's found a home in the 'pen, armed with a high-90s fastball.

For the year, he's 5-8 with an 8.57 ERA over 49.1 innings. He'll join Yennier Cano and Felix Bautista as late-game options for the O's.

The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal before the season and will be a free agent at the year's end.

The Orioles and Rays will play game two of the critical four-game series on Friday night.

First pitch from Tropicana Field is set for 6:40 p.m. ET as Kyle Bradish (BAL) pitches against Zach Eflin (TBR).

Bradish is 6-4 with a 3.05 ERA while Eflin is 10-5 with a 3.59.

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