The Colorado Rockies have taken significant steps to strengthen their pitching staff by signing veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year deal worth approximately $5.1 million. Sugano, who previously played for the Baltimore Orioles after an impressive 12-year tenure as the ace of Japan’s Yomiuri Giants, will look to bring his wealth of experience to the Rockies. During the last MLB season, Sugano recorded a 10-10 record with a 4.64 ERA and notched 106 strikeouts across 157 innings.
Sugano is set to enhance a Rockies rotation that had been searching for depth and experience under new baseball operations president Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes. Notably, he will be joining the team after competing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, where he will team up with fellow pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yusei Kikuchi.
The Rockies also made a strategic move regarding the roster by placing veteran outfielder Kris Bryant on the 60-day injured list, which will extend his rehabilitation for chronic back issues. The decision reflects a continued struggle with injuries for Bryant, who only managed to appear in 11 games in the previous season, batting .154 with no home runs. Since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract in 2022, his playing time has been limited to just 170 games, demonstrating the challenges faced by the Rockies in integrating talent and maintaining player health.
Sugano’s career in Nippon Professional Baseball was decorated with accolades, including multiple Sawamura Awards—Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award—and several MVP awards. His skill set includes a diverse pitch repertoire, featuring six types of pitches, with the splitter being particularly effective for him in 2025. Despite struggling with home runs—allowing the most in the American League last season at 33—his low walk rate showcases his effectiveness in navigating the strike zone.
With Sugano joining Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, and Ryan Feltner in the starting rotation, the Rockies are hopeful that their mix of seasoned and younger pitchers can propel the team forward in the upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these decisions impact the team dynamics and performance in 2026.