Colorado Rockies strengthen starting rotation experience by signing veteran Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.

The Colorado Rockies took action today to address their need for experienced starters by agreeing to a one-year contract with Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano pitched last season for the Baltimore Orioles and previously spent 12 seasons as the ace of the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

At the same time, the team resolved a long-standing issue by placing veteran Kris Bryant on the 60-day injured list. This means the fifth year of his seven-year, $182 million contract will once again be spent while Bryant continues to recover from a chronic back injury, just as in the previous four years.

The 36-year-old Sugano contributed 157 innings for the Orioles last season, recording a 10-10 win-loss record with a 4.64 ERA and 106 strikeouts, serving as a reliable presence during a down year for the team. Next, Sugano will represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic, joining forces with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yusei Kikuchi; afterward, he will join the Rockies, who are in urgent need of experienced starting pitchers.

Sugano shares similarities with another veteran pitcher the Rockies signed earlier in the offseason, Michael Lorenzen, as both have a diverse arsenal of pitches. Sugano can throw six different pitches, including a four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, slider, curveball, and forkball. Although velocity is no longer his greatest strength (his fastball averaged just under 93 mph in 2025), he excels at using his varied pitch mix to generate outs.

Paul DePodesta, Rockies’ President of Baseball Operations, said, “From a pitching standpoint, his excellent command combined with a deep repertoire of pitches is very appealing to us. Additionally, he has maintained a winning mentality throughout his career.”

In recent years, the Rockies have seldom pursued veteran starting pitchers, but under the leadership of DePodesta and new general manager Josh Byrnes, the team has begun seeking experienced players with a history of success. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Sugano’s contract is worth $5.1 million.

This move aims to enhance the depth and experience of the Rockies’ starting rotation to support interim manager Warren Schaeffer, who took over for the last five months of the previous season. With Sugano joining, the rotation will include Lorenzen, longtime lefty starter Kyle Freeland (turning 33 on May 14), and 29-year-old Ryan Feltner, all of whom have passed their rookie campaigns. Another 31-year-old pitcher, Antonio Senzatela, made 23 starts in 30 appearances last season but was announced at the end of last season to be transitioning to a relief role.

Before reaching MLB, Sugano had an outstanding career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB): he won the Sawamura Award (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young) twice in 2017 and 2018, and was named MVP three times in 2014, 2020, and 2024. He was an eight-time All-Star, led the league in ERA four times, and topped the strikeout charts twice. Over 276 NPB games, Sugano compiled a 136-74 record with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 1,585 batters in 1,857 innings pitched.

Sugano’s signature pitch is the forkball, a common weapon among Japanese aces. In 2025, he threw his forkball more than any other pitch and recorded 50 of his 106 strikeouts with it. DePodesta added, “Our pitching coaches are excited to work with him. Off the field, he has achieved remarkable things as well. His professional attitude and preparation will serve as an excellent example for both our young and veteran pitchers.”

In his first MLB season, Sugano excelled at controlling walks, posting a 5.3% walk rate, which ranked seventh lowest among pitchers who threw at least 150 innings last year. However, he was vulnerable to giving up long hits, allowing a league-high 33 home runs in the American League. DePodesta acknowledged, “Every pitcher gets hit sometimes. If it’s a solo home run, the damage is minimal. Both he and Lorenzen share traits of precise control and aggressive pitching within the strike zone.”

On the other hand, 34-year-old Bryant appeared in only 11 games last season, batting .154 with no home runs and just one RBI. The team announced in April that he suffers from degenerative disc disease in his lumbar spine. Despite a year of examinations and rehab, he has yet to return to the field. Since signing in spring training 2022, Bryant has played in only 170 games, hitting .244 with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs.

DePodesta explained, “Throughout the winter, he underwent multiple evaluations with our head athletic trainer and medical operations chief Keith Dugger and the medical staff. Their consensus was that he realistically would not be ready within the first two months of the season, nor able to participate in spring training. Therefore, placing him on the 60-day injured list to alleviate pressure was the sensible decision at this time.”