The Athletics have added another starting pitching option for the 2023 season, signing Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami to a one-year deal. Full terms of the deal aren’t yet available.
Per reports, Oakland plans to immediately insert him into starting staff. That means that at least 3/5ths of the starting rotation is now definitively spoken for, with staff leader Cole Irvin and 2022 All-Star Paul Blackburn also in line to begin the year in the rotation. Behind those three, James Kaprielian is also probably a favorite at this point to grab a rotation spot since he is out of options and had a decent year last season, leaving just one opening remaining.