Former Intriguing Roster Piece For Seattle Mariners Drawing Interest in Japan

According to reports, Shintaro Fujinami, who was recently let go by the Mariners, could be a fit for the Yokohama Baystars of the NPB.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Shintaro Fujinami (13) on the mound during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Sports Complex on March 7. | Allan Henry-Imagn Images

NEW YORK - According to a report from the Yakyu Cosmopolitan, former Seattle Mariners reliever Shintaro Fujinami is drawing interest from the Yokohama Baystars of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Fujinami was released by the Mariners in June, and we knew that going back to Japan was an option for him. Former Mariners first baseman Mike Ford is already a member of the Baystars.

The DeNA BayStars are reportedly pursuing free agent RHP Shintaro Fujinami.

https://t.co/5CNnMFCKsg

— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) July 9, 2025

Fujinami signed a minor league deal with the Mariners in the offseason, but never appeared in a major league game for the organization.

Armed with electric stuff, he struck out 24 batters in 18.2 innings at Triple-A Tacoma, however, the control is a real concern, as he walked 26 and hit three in just those 18.2 innings.

Shintaro Fujinami strikes out 2 to finish off the shutout. pic.twitter.com/k8e4ADw2Xj

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) June 12, 2025

The hope was that he could be a power option in the mid-to-back-end of the M's bullpen, but it just didn't happen, and the Mariners have developed guys like Carlos Vargas and Casey Legumina this season for those roles.

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 that year. 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,.

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