A's optimistic for Fuji's move to the bullpen

This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ A’s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ANAHEIM -- When the A’s signed Shintaro Fujinami this offseason, they viewed him as an electric arm with the potential to emerge as a frontline starter. That vision is now going to be on hold, at least temporarily.

Prior to Monday’s 11-10 victory over the Angels at Angel Stadium, manager Mark Kotsay revealed that Fujinami will shift to a role within the A’s bullpen. The decision comes after the Japanese right-hander posted a 14.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 12 walks over 15 innings through his first four Major League starts.

“We’re going to put him in the ‘pen and try to use him in a leverage role where we can watch him throw strikes and get his fastball command back,” Kotsay said. “Not to say, ‘He can’t return back into the rotation,’ but in this short-term period, right now, we’re going to assess him in that direction.”

With the A’s adjusting their rotation to accommodate Fujinami by having him pitch every Saturday, the move to the bullpen allows them to transition back into more of a traditional five-man rotation with pitchers going on regular rest.

While Fujinami carries six pitches in his repertoire, a relief role might suit him well by allowing him to focus on his two best pitches – a fastball that sits consistently near 100 mph and an impressive splitter with some serious bite.

“In terms of the plus stuff, it’s there,” Kotsay said. “The fastball and the split, really those two pitches out of the bullpen could be devastating in a shorter stint.”

The A’s are also viewing the move to the bullpen as a chance for Fujinami to build up some confidence coming off a rough outing against the Rangers over the weekend in which he allowed eight runs on seven hits and three walks over 2 1/3 innings.

“We’re hopeful to get him out there, have him build his confidence back up and just continue to grow from there,” Kotsay said. “It’s tough. We gave him four outings and you saw what he could do in short spurts. We’re continuing to talk to Fuji and open him up a little more. He’s getting more comfortable with us. It is different here, but he likes it here. That’s the most important thing. He’s starting to get more open in communicating. I think we’ve got him in the right direction.”