A’s finalize $3.25M deal with Japanese pitcher Fujinami

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami and the Oakland Athletics have finalized a $3.25 million, one-year contract, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for starts. The hard-throwing Fujinami could fill a void in Oakland’s rotation or pitch out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old spent the past 10 seasons with the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers. The 6-foot-6 Fujinami was 3-5 with a 3.38 ERA and .240 opponents’ batting average in 10 starts and six relief appearances last year. He walked 21 batters and struck out 65 in 66 2/3 innings.