Shintaro Fujinami: Everything you need to know

The Mariners signed Fujinami to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. Fujinami dealt with a shoulder injury this past season and posted a 6.68 ERA and 38:33 K:BB over 32.1 innings during a stint with Triple-A Syracuse in the Mets organization. The 30-year-old struck out 83 in 79 frames between the Athletics and Orioles in 2023 but also walked 45 and held a 7.18 ERA.

The Mets outrighted Fujinami to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Fujinami is making $3.35 million in 2024, so it's not surprising that he passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He'll remain at Syracuse, where he holds an 10.95 ERA and 14:25 K:BB over 12.1 frames this season.

The Mets activated Fujinami (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment. It looks like Fujinami's tenure with the Mets will end before it began. The reliever was sent down to the minors after a rough spring training and missed more than a month of action with a shoulder strain. Fujinami has been on a rehab assignment and appears healthy now, but the Mets have elected to move on rather than add him to the active roster.