The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant addition to their pitching rotation by signing Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year, $13 million contract.
Sugano, 35, brings an impressive resume from his 12-year tenure with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants. In the 2024 season, he achieved a 15-3 record with a 1.67 ERA, earning him Central League MVP honors. Over his career, Sugano has accumulated a 136-74 record, a 2.43 ERA, 1,585 strikeouts, and 347 walks across 1,857 innings.
The Orioles are looking to bolster their starting rotation, especially after injuries to key pitchers Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish, both of whom underwent elbow surgery this past season. Sugano’s versatile six-pitch repertoire is expected to provide depth and experience to the rotation.
However, the Orioles face uncertainty regarding their ace, Corbin Burnes, who is exploring free agency and attracting interest from other teams.
In other offseason moves, the Orioles have been active in the free-agent market, aiming to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. The team is also preparing for Spring Training, with a schedule that includes matchups against the Pirates, Phillies, Braves, and Tigers.
These developments indicate the Orioles’ commitment to building a competitive team for the 2
025 season.
