Orioles sign Japanese RHP Tomoyuki Sugano

Field Level Media|published: Mon 16th December, 20:32 2024

Mar 11, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; A detailed view of Baltimore Orioles baseball hats and gloves in the dugout during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year contract on Monday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but multiple reports said the contract was worth $13 million.

Sugano, 35, has played for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League for the entirety of his 12-year career. He went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA in 24 starts this past season, with three complete games and one shutout, on his way to winning Central League MVP honors.

His NPB career numbers include a 136-74 record and a 2.43 ERA, with 1,585 strikeouts to just 347 walks over 1,857 innings.

The Orioles are expected to add Sugano to their starting rotation, which was decimated by injuries in 2024. Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish underwent elbow surgery, while it's unknown if ace Corbin Burnes will return to Baltimore or find a new team in free agency.

--Field Level Media